The New Class: TJ Jackson

We're catching up with members of Virginia Tech's 2016 football signing class to get to know them better and shed even more insight on where they see themselves with the Hokies. This is No. 8 in our series.

Recruited by: Vance Vice

Has your size changed at all?

The weight has changed but the height is still the same. I'm at 318.

What does your workout routine entail?

Pretty much, when I work out n class, I don't do max stuff. It's mainly light stuff with a lot of reps. That's mainly what I do the most. I believe if you do max stuff, it doesn't help, because you're just doing it once or twice, instead of a lot of reps and actually working your muscles.

When do you plan on reporting to Virginia Tech?

July 5. My birthday is on July 2, so it's kinda like a going away.

What do you plan on working or improving on through this summer?

Pretty much my agility. I really wanna do a lot of ladder work and my strength. They gave me my workout regiment for 10 weeks. I'm gonna start when basketball is over and I go into track, because I'll be able to do running and stuff and get in condition. My athletic director has been working with me in the weight room and stuff. He can get me right, so when I get there, I won't be so left behind with all that stuff. I can come in and start flowing with the team.

How would you describe your playing style?

Quick and explosive. It's different, because you don't really find guys my height and size that can move. You would think that I would just be very strong, but I'm really quick. That's an upside to my size and I think that's my most unique thing. I'm not a slow, just powerful guy with no burst of speed. I can move, plus the strength and all that.

What are some of your goals for your first season at Virginia Tech?

My goal pretty much is I wanna learn the game. I haven't been playing long enough to really know football, but I've played long enough to be good at it. My freshman year, I wanna learn everything I can. so as a sophomore, I can go far from there and win games.

What player or team are you most looking forward to going up against?

I think it'd be UVA, just because of the big rivalry. I think it's just a historic rival that makes that game such a big deal. That's the game that every player, every fan looks towards, even though we have bigger games than that. I think that's the game that everybody is looking forward to next season.

What's your favorite food?

Seafood, any seafood. I like the shrimp, the fish, crab legs, all the seafood.

What is your favorite movie?

Ooooh, that's a hard one. I've gotta think. I've gotta go back in time a little bit. I'm gonna have to say 'Space Jam.'

What is your favorite TV show?

Ooooh, hmm. I'm gonna have to say 'Wild 'N Out.'

What's the one song you're getting amped up to before a game?

DMX, any of his top hits. When I listen to them, it just gets crazy.

What would be three words to describe you?

Tall, athletic and funny.

If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?

Any celebrity? OOOOOH, let me think here. I'm gonna have to say J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez).

If you could go toe to toe in the ring with anybody, who would it be?

Rampage Jackson. He's a big guy, though.

What's been your most memorable experience playing football?

I'd have to say two years ago, my first year playing. We went all the way to the state championship. The semi-final game was my favorite game. We were playing the No. 2 team in the conference. We went to their place and the first play of the game, we got a fumble and went from there. They doubted us so bad. We weren't even gonna have a football team and went to the state championship. That was at Fuqua School in Farmville.

What's the one thing you learned from your recruitment that you would pass on as advice to a future recruit?

I'd say patience and never giving up. This has been a long process for me. I never thought anything like this would happen, recruiting-wise, because of the area. But they will come and find you. Pretty much, it was patience that worked the most. You have to wait. You keep working, keep working and when they do come, that patience pays off.

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