By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
With Baylor adding so many new pieces to the 2023 football roster through the NCAA transfer portal, SicEmSports provides a daily series of breaking down each of these new members and how they fit into the program moving forward.
Ketron Jackson
Pos.: WR
School: Arkansas
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 203
Remaining Eligibility: 2 years
What he brings: A physical presence that the wide receiver corps desperately needs. With Jackson’s height and wingspan, Baylor needed a target who could win more than his share of 50-50 balls. The Royse City product probably can get a little thicker and play at 215 and not lose much if anything in terms of speed or agility. Don’t look past Jackson’s sheer will to want to be on the stage and perform. While he had no ill will against the Arkansas staff, he simply wanted an opportunity to showcase his talents. He wasn’t getting that in Fayetteville. For comparison, no Baylor receiver had more than 33 receptions and 565 yards. It’s not like this is a crowded room.
What are the concerns: Like any P5 skill player transfer with an sporadic track record of production, there’s always going to be some concern if he can take his game to the next level and be the impact his new program envisions. Jackson had his moments with the Razorbacks. He brings 21 career receptions, 374 career receiving yards and four career touchdowns. Jackson started eight games in 2022 but only averaged 23 yards per game. Some of that was Arkansas’ focusing the running game. Some of that was inconsistent play from the quarterback position and QB injuries.
How he helps the room: There is big-play ability. Witness his career 17.8 yards per catch average. The opportunity to be the alpha presents itself. Of course, you just don’t walk into the room and say you’re the guy and immediately cause tension with the rest of the receivers including Monaray Baldwin, Hal Presley, Josh Cameron and Armani Winfield. Jackson must earn it through how he works in this offseason, how he goes through spring practices and the way he carries himself off the field. There are work habits other receivers can possibly pick up from him and use as learning tools. But Jackson didn’t come to Baylor to not crack the starting lineup and not be a factor in this passing game.
2023 Expectations: It was a battle between Baylor and SMU for him. Indeed, Baylor’s substantial NIL deal played a major role. Even so, after Jackson committed to Baylor, SMU made a late run at him. It was somewhat of a close call. But Baylor held on to him. With all of that attention, to much that is given, much is expected. At the very least, Jackson must emerge as one of the top three in receptions, yards and touchdowns in 2022. Given how Baylor’s wide receiver group disappointed in 2022, Jackson needs to be the one that raises everybody else’s game.
Publisher
With Baylor adding so many new pieces to the 2023 football roster through the NCAA transfer portal, SicEmSports provides a daily series of breaking down each of these new members and how they fit into the program moving forward.
Ketron Jackson
Pos.: WR
School: Arkansas
Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 203
Remaining Eligibility: 2 years
What he brings: A physical presence that the wide receiver corps desperately needs. With Jackson’s height and wingspan, Baylor needed a target who could win more than his share of 50-50 balls. The Royse City product probably can get a little thicker and play at 215 and not lose much if anything in terms of speed or agility. Don’t look past Jackson’s sheer will to want to be on the stage and perform. While he had no ill will against the Arkansas staff, he simply wanted an opportunity to showcase his talents. He wasn’t getting that in Fayetteville. For comparison, no Baylor receiver had more than 33 receptions and 565 yards. It’s not like this is a crowded room.
What are the concerns: Like any P5 skill player transfer with an sporadic track record of production, there’s always going to be some concern if he can take his game to the next level and be the impact his new program envisions. Jackson had his moments with the Razorbacks. He brings 21 career receptions, 374 career receiving yards and four career touchdowns. Jackson started eight games in 2022 but only averaged 23 yards per game. Some of that was Arkansas’ focusing the running game. Some of that was inconsistent play from the quarterback position and QB injuries.
How he helps the room: There is big-play ability. Witness his career 17.8 yards per catch average. The opportunity to be the alpha presents itself. Of course, you just don’t walk into the room and say you’re the guy and immediately cause tension with the rest of the receivers including Monaray Baldwin, Hal Presley, Josh Cameron and Armani Winfield. Jackson must earn it through how he works in this offseason, how he goes through spring practices and the way he carries himself off the field. There are work habits other receivers can possibly pick up from him and use as learning tools. But Jackson didn’t come to Baylor to not crack the starting lineup and not be a factor in this passing game.
2023 Expectations: It was a battle between Baylor and SMU for him. Indeed, Baylor’s substantial NIL deal played a major role. Even so, after Jackson committed to Baylor, SMU made a late run at him. It was somewhat of a close call. But Baylor held on to him. With all of that attention, to much that is given, much is expected. At the very least, Jackson must emerge as one of the top three in receptions, yards and touchdowns in 2022. Given how Baylor’s wide receiver group disappointed in 2022, Jackson needs to be the one that raises everybody else’s game.
