Kordell Jackson is not standing Pat.
The 25 -year -old American defensive rear began 16 games as a recruit last season with Elks Edmonton. But with the deep dive of the franchise in the free agency – and the addition of an abundance of defensive talents – the competition for jobs during the training camp will be steep.
And it’s very good with Jackson.
“This is the only way to improve,” he said. “This is how you create an excellent environment and an excellent standard.
“If you have no competition, people become complacent, so I like competition. I love the fact that it will improve the team. All this is positive, I do not consider competition as a negative. »»
Edmonton (7-11) finished fourth in the western division last year, missing the LCF qualifiers for a fourth consecutive season. An out -of -season priority for GM Ed Hervey was the strengthening of the defense of the Elks which was the last in the offensive sites (394.6 yards) and the yards by the pass (313.4) authorized per game and the last last place in the rendered touchdown (54).
Hervey therefore plunged into the free agency to sign the players of defensive line Jake Ceresna, Robbie Smith, Jared Brinkman and Brandon Barlow. He also added the veteran defenders Tyrell Ford, Royce Metchie and Kobe Williams.
The five-foot jackson 10 inches and 189 pounds made 15 half-back departures and another safe with Edmonton. He recorded 51 plated, four interceptions and two forced escapes as a recruit after spending 2023 with the Frisco Fighters of the indoor football league.
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The players will report to the Edmonton camp with clean slates because it marks the first season of Mark Kilam as a head coach of the LCF.
However, Jackson is part of a group of Elks who will have played under three coaches in less than a year. Head coach / GM Chris Jones began the 2024 season, but was dismissed on July 15 after a start of 0-5, and replaced by acting coach Jarious Jackson, who was then succeeded by Kilam during the offseason.
“Everyone has to come and win their place, win their dungeon,” said Jackson. “I feel like I was really better prepared just because I know what to expect.
“I know the speed of the game, I know what I have to work on what happened last year. I really feel more acclimatized this year. »»
Jackson was the best defensive recruit in the indoor football league and a star from the first team. But by joining the Elks, it went from the smallest field of football to its longest and wider.
However, the 12 forced incompletements of the star of the State University of Austin Peay were in the lead among the recruits of the LCF and he finished second in interceptions. Jackson was twice an All-American consensus (2019-20) at the college and a triple all-star from the conference of the first team of Ohio Valley (2019-21).
“It’s (Canadian football) was definitely different,” said Jackson. “The most important thing for me was the size of the field (110 yards per 65 yards) and final zones (20 yards).
“There was a high movement in IFL, so I was used to this and having more passage (in LCF) was good for me because I like to cover anyway. I just had to be better conditioned due to the size of the field and … there is really no goal zone because it is always an open field where you can get an itinerary of 20 yards. »»
Jackson’s main objective this season is to help Edmonton win his first Gray Cup title since 2015, but he has high personal expectations. He wants to direct the LCF in the interceptions, to be a division and stars of the League, and finally to be the best defensive player in the League. It also aims to obtain a better opportunity in the south of the border one day.
“It is important to set your high goals,” he said. “This keeps you anchored because these high goals continue to help you grow and not become complacent.
“It’s (NFL) is always the final goal, but I honestly love LCF.”
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(Tagstotranslate) CFL (T) Edmonton Elks (T) Edmonton Sports (T) Kordell Jackson (T) Canada
