Jackson takes leadership role in San Antonio

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

SAN ANTONIO — Leon Jackson makes no bones about his willingness to provide leadership for a team.

Jackson, who has verbally committed to play football for Nebraska, addressed the West squad early last week before it started preparing for Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl high school all-star game.

"I stepped up and said we can't play as individuals," Jackson said after the West's 35-3 triumph before 30,305 spectators at the Alamodome. "I said we have to come in and play as one. I think that's the reason why we won. We came as a family, you know.

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West receiver DeSean Jackson (1), of Long Beach, Calif., catches a pass as East defensive back Justin King (2), of Monroeville, Penn., defends during the second quarter of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday in San Antonio. (AP)

West receiver DeSean Jackson (1), of Long Beach, Calif., catches a pass as East defensive back Justin King (2), of Monroeville, Penn., defends during the second quarter of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday in San Antonio. (AP)

"I don't think the East came as a family. But we all became friends. We hung out together."

Jackson, a defensive back/running back from Pasco, Wash., played strictly safety Saturday, though he hopes to begin his college career as a running back.

The West squad featured five other Nebraska-bound players — kicker Jordan Congdon, linebacker Phillip Dillard, running back Marlon Lucky and offensive linemen Rodney Picou and Craig Roark.

Dillard made three tackles and had an interception, while Lucky carried five times for 31 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown run.

Congdon was 5-for-5 on extra- point kicks and kicked off six times, never reaching the end zone.

"The balls we used felt a little different," he said. "They were a little light, so it was hard to hit that far."

Boateng a Gator

Nyan Boateng stepped in front of the NBC cameras, and Nebraska fans held their collective breath — and then let out a collective groan.

The flashy wide receiver chose Florida over Nebraska.

Boateng, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was among 18 players who announced during Saturday's game where they planned to attend college.

"It was a tough decision," said Boateng, the nation's 21st-ranked wideout according to Rivals.com. "It was a long process to decide. But me and my family came together, and I think I made a good choice."

Nebraska, though, remains in the running for some top prospects, most notably defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh of Portland, Ore., and defensive back Reggie Smith of Edmond, Okla.

Suh has pared his list to Nebraska and California, while Smith is also considering Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Texas A&M and Louisiana State.

Suh, ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's sixth-best player at his position, will likely announce his decision this week, he said.

Most valuable

DeSean Jackson, a wideout from Long Beach, Calif., electrified the crowd with seven receptions for 141 yards. He also threw a touchdown pass on a reverse play en route to being named Most Valuable Player.

Jackson, however, angered West coaches in the first quarter when he caught a pass, sprinted down the sideline and tried leaping head-first into the end zone from the 5-yard line. He came up short, downing the ball just inside the 1 while being flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. His team scored a touchdown two plays later.