The Cal Poly football team has been turning many heads in recent months. After going 7-4 last season, ending the year with a painful 22-21 loss to UC Davis that shut Cal Poly out of the postseason, many are starting to believe the Mustangs are going to return with tons of firepower this upcoming season.
ESPN’s Bruce Feldman is the latest to join the bandwagon.
Feldman tabbed Cal Poly cornerback Asa Jackson as the ninth-best non-FBS player in the nation on his blog Tuesday night. Jackson was one of two Great West players named in the 10-player list. Southern Utah quarterback Brad Sorensen was tagged as the third best.
This is nothing new for Jackson, who was named an honorable mention on the Consensus Draft Services’ 2011 Preseason Football Championship Subdivision All-American team this offseason. He can now hang that honor next to all three of his All-Great West first-team selections, his Great West Freshman of the Year award and his All-American third-team selection in 2010.
“Jackson is one of those guys that makes you wonder how the bigger schools missed on him,” Feldman wrote. “His coach at Cal Poly, Tim Walsh, has told reporters that Jackson is the best cornerback he’s ever had in 25 years. The 5-foot-11, 189-pounder is also a terrific punt returner, averaging almost 13 yards per return in 2010.”
Jackson, indeed, is a huge part of what has a chance to be a great team next season. With his talent in the secondary, and a new high-octane offense, he may help lead the Mustangs to another postseason berth.