AUBURN, Ala. – Shedrick Jackson has always had Auburn in his blood. The senior receiver from Hoover, Alabama, may be the nephew of Tiger legend Bo Jackson, but he has taken steps to make a name for himself. He had his own reasons for coming to The Plains in 2018.
"Really what made me come here was the family atmosphere that everyone talks about, the campus, and it's always been a successful program, but I think the No. 1 thing was having those relationships with the players," Jackson said.
The receiver has appeared in 28 games throughout his career with 12 starts and has enjoyed big moments, including a monumental two-point conversion catch in the 2019 Iron Bowl win over Alabama as well as a 37-yard reception in the most recent Iron Bowl.
"My favorite game has got to be the 2019 Iron Bowl," he said. "Celebrating with the fans on the field and just that whole atmosphere in general was great."
The highs and lows of being a student-athlete aren't just derived from on-field memories. Jackson describes other meaningful moments that are as simple as "just being with my teammates and joking around with them," as well as attending other sporting events such as basketball and softball games with friends.
His time at Auburn has gone by fast, which is why he will take in and cherish every moment in his last year.
"It's come and gone quickly," Jackson said. "All these seasons, all the people I've played with, and all the games we've won and lost. Just making memories with everyone has been wild."
Jackson looks to make more memories with new coach Bryan Harsin and staff. It's not easy for seniors to learn a whole new system in their last campaign, but Jackson and the other seniors have embraced the changes with positivity.
"It's a whole different feel, even in the weight room with the new strength and conditioning staff," he said. "They do a good job of developing us. They implement new things and challenge us in different ways in the weight room. The change has been good."
Despite the changes, Jackson's mentality and approach have remained steadfast.
"Everything you get here is earned, not given," he said. "It's a different mindset that you've got to have, continuing to work on the field and in the classroom. It all plays a role in the success that you have."
'Earned, not given': Shedrick Jackson (left) competes against Roger McCreary
Jackson likes to quote boxing legend Muhammad Ali: "Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."
The senior is always focused on the team success over his own. "We want to be disciplined, more consistent, and just win," he said. "We want to win the SEC Championship and hopefully the national championship.
Jackson also set individual goals and will work to see them become reality.
"For myself, I just want to have a breakout season," he said "I feel like it's time. I've got to put in the work, keep my mind right, focus, and just be consistent within myself and have a great year."
Jackson has been a contributor at Auburn since day one, making an appearance in his first game as a true freshman against Washington, as well as 10 other games in the 2018 season. The veteran of the receiving corps is primed for an impact season that may bolster his chances at making it into the NFL.
"I want to try to take my talents to the NFL and prove what I can do there, and just prove that I can play with some of the people in the league today," he said.
Jackson has his sights set on the big league, but also has a plan for when football is over. "After football, I'm a supply chain major and I plan on finding a career in that," said Jackson, who's on track to graduate before his final preseason camp begins in August. "There's a lot of different things I can do with that major, so I'm just figuring out a career and exactly where I want to go with it."
The senior still has plenty of opportunities left to build on his legacy at Auburn, but he wants fans, teammates, and coaches to remember him fondly no matter what.
"I just want to be known as somebody that worked hard, kept my head down, and just grinded through the rough times and the good times," he said. "Someone who loved to play football, loved to go out there, make plays and just win at everything I do. Whether that be in football or outside of football. Everything I do, I want to win and be great."
Jackson, as well as the rest of the team missed the adrenaline-filled days and nights in Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2020. This year the Tigers and the Auburn family look to reunite again, just like old times to make Jordan-Hare the raucous environment it always has been.
Jackson says that the feeling Auburn brings him is something that he will definitely miss, but it's something that will always be a part of him, no matter where life takes him.
"I just feel like it's special, especially when you see someone outside of Auburn and they say 'War Eagle' to you, it just shows that family feel," he said.
"That feel is just powerful. The fans are very important to us. They bring that energy we need, and they support us. We appreciate everything they do."
Lawrence Merrill is a student worker in Auburn Athletics media relations