Terps’ Jackson making his point

If Maryland linebacker D’Qwell Jackson plays like he has something to prove, maybe it’s because he does.

At one time, Jackson gladly would have accepted a Florida State scholarship offer. The Largo, Fla., native watched several friends commit to the Seminoles.

“That’s huge when [Florida State coach] Bobby Bowden comes to your door,” he said.

However, Florida State contacted Jackson only once and he said it felt like a courtesy call. He also would have liked it if Florida and Miami recruited him, but neither showed a lot of interest. In fact, Miami never called.

“There’s a lot of pressure from your family and friends to go to the top three schools [in Florida], but it has been done and I’m glad to make the right decision,” Jackson said. “I was the one going to be here the next four years so it was up to me.”

Recruitment letters began arriving two years before graduation. By his junior season, Jackson already was fluent in high-pressure pitches, phone calls, e-mails and letters. When the Florida schools didn’t go after him the two-time all-state linebacker, who also played quarterback and punted his senior year, considered N.C. State and Louisiana State before choosing Maryland.

“I got over it,” he said of the Florida schools’ snub. “I knew other schools wanted me and that’s where I wanted to be. I learned it’s about where you feel more comfortable and where the team needs you. It would have been a bad decision if I had ended up [at Florida State].”

And Jackson gets a chance every year to show Bowden he made a mistake. He will lead Maryland (3-4, 1-3 ACC) as it prepares for a visit from No. 5 Florida State (6-1, 4-1) on Saturday at Byrd Stadium.

“I’m not mad I came here,” Jackson said. “I made the right decision. You want to find something to give you extra incentive to play better [against Florida State]. I want to show those guys they missed out on me and we’re going to prove we can beat them.”

The pressure on prep stars to remain in-state is enormous, and leaving the state is seen as a failure to some. But instead of becoming just another talented player, which Florida State, Miami and Florida store on their rosters like Florida residents do water and batteries for the hurricane season, Jackson has become the Terrapins leader on defense and one of the best linebackers in the ACC.

Maryland now has a worthy successor to the Terps’ best defensive player in a generation — E.J. Henderson. Henderson, a two-time All-American, is a player the Terps doubted they could replace. However, last season Jackson took over for the departed Henderson and averaged 10.5 tackles, seventh most in the ACC, and led the Terps with 136 tackles, one short of the school’s sophomore record.

Jackson’s 11.1 tackles a game this year leads the conference. His 18 tackles against Clemson last Saturday earned him a second ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honor. He got the first after his two interceptions led Maryland to a 23-20 victory over Northern Illinois on Sept. 4. He also had 16-tackle efforts against West Virginia and Georgia Tech.

But the biggest play of Jackson’s career was a 58-yard interception for a touchdown against Florida State last year. Breaking two tackles before dozens of family and friends in Tallahassee, Fla., Jackson gave Maryland a 10-0 lead in the eventual 35-10 loss.

Maybe, as Bowden watched Jackson run down the field, the coach wondered how he ever let him get out of the state.

Note — Wide receiver Derrick Fenner (sprained ankle) won’t play against Florida State while guard Brandon Nixon (high ankle sprain) is doubtful. Defensive ends Kevin Eli (ankle), Ricardo Dickerson (sprained ankle) and Shawne Merriman (ankle), linebacker Wesley Jefferson (high ankle sprain), tight end Rob Abiamiri (bruised shoulder), running back Josh Allen (bruised leg), offensive tackles Stephon Heyer (sprained knee) and Lou Lombardo (sprained elbow), receiver Dan Melendez (hamstring) and guard Russell Bonham (sprained knee) are probable.