Steven Jackson

Infobox NFLactive


caption=
currentteam=St. Louis Rams
country=USA
currentnumber=39
currentposition=Running back
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|7|22
birthplace=Las Vegas, Nevada
heightft=6
heightin=2
weight=231
debutyear=2004
debutteam=St. Louis Rams
college=Oregon State
draftyear=2004
draftround=1
draftpick=24
pastteams=
* St. Louis Rams (2004-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Las Vegas Bowl MVP (2003)
* Pro Bowl selection (2006)
* All-Pro selection (2006)
* Rams MVP (2006)
statweek=5
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Rushing yards
statvalue1=4,518
statlabel2=Rushing average
statvalue2=4.3
statlabel3=Rushing TDs
statvalue3=31
nfl=JAC560875

Steven Rashad Jackson (born July 22, 1983 in Las Vegas, Nevada) is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams 24th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon State.

Early years

Jackson was a running back for the Cimarron Memorial High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was named the sunset regional MVP and rushed for 6,396 yards and 81 touchdowns.

College career

Jackson ended his Oregon State University career after three seasons, becoming the first Beaver player in history with eligibility remaining to enter the NFL Draft. In 36 games, he carried 743 times for 3,625 yards for a 4.9-yard average and 39 touchdowns while adding 680 yards and six touchdowns on 66 catches and 240 yards with a touchdown on seven kickoff returns. His 4,545 all-purpose yards rank second in school history, while he ranks third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 276 points. As a junior he ranked tenth in the nation in rushing, ninth in all-purpose yardage, and fourth in scoring; he carried the ball 350 times for 1,545 yards and 19 touchdowns, adding 44 receptions for 470 yards and three touchdowns. His 2,015 all-purpose yards set a school record. As a sophomore Jackson led the Pac 10 in rushing and finished the season eighth nationally with 1,690 yards, an average of 130.0 yards a game. He was a housing studies major.

NFL career

2004 NFL draft

Drafted 24th overall in 2004 by the St. Louis Rams, Jackson was seen as one of the new era power-speed backs. Jackson was over-looked by several teams in the draft, most likely due to a knee injury suffered his last year at Oregon State. Jackson had surgery on the knee after the college season, but was never able to fully rehab it and needed to have clean-up surgery after his rookie year to completely fix it. In an interview with cbssportsline.com's Pete Prisco, Jackson says, "It never felt right," Jackson said. "Now it does [ [http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/8778711 St. Louis Rams, Marshall Faulk, Steven Jackson, National Football League - CBSSports.com ] ]

According to NFL Draft Scout.com, Jackson, on a weak knee at 241 lbs., ran a 4.45s 40-yard dash at the 2004 NFL Combine. Jackson wanted to rehab his knee a bit more before competing in other drills which he completed at a slimmed down 231 lbs. for his pro day. [ [http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=27344 *Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon State - 2004 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.stlouisrams.com/Team/47459/ St. Louis Rams bio]