Nov. 15, 2001

By Baylor Athletic Media Relation student assistant Lance James:

"Working in a diamond mine in Tunisia, looking for the biggest stones I can find," senior center Joe Jackson said with a smile. That's what Jackson said his plans are next year if they don't involve playing football. For the past five years, however, the place to find Jackson each Saturday in the fall is lined up over the football for Baylor on gameday.

Considered one of the team leaders and one of the most dependable players on the field today, Jackson came to Baylor in 1998 after being recruited by former Baylor head coach Chuck Reedy. He was all-state as a defensive tackle for Groveton High School in Groveton, Texas, a little town so small that many times he had to line up on both sides of the ball and it wasn't until his senior year that they had a baseball team.

Jackson began his Baylor career at the guard position. It wasn't until the Bears played Notre Dame later in the season that he was given the opportunity to start at the center position. It was a good move for Jackson and he has been there ever since. In fact, he has been so good that he has not missed a start in two and a half years.

"In high school I played offensive line," Jackson said, "so it wasn't a big transition for me. "It allowed me to use my intellect a little bit more to identify different defenses and read coverage."

In his years at Baylor, Jackson has also developed into one of the most vocal leaders on the team.

"You know," Jackson said, "when I got here a lot of guys had left and graduated and there were a lot of holes to be filled. Two years ago I had started more games than anyone else on the team, and I was only a sophomore."

Initially, he was not sure if he wanted to take on the extra responsibility, but it is a role that he has settled into and now enjoys. "Now that I've grown into it and have been around everyone and they have had the opportunity to seen me grow, I really love it," Jackson said.

"We have a bunch of amazing guys coming into the program now and that speaks wonders about Coach Steele's ability get good, young players," Jackson said. "So I want to show the young kids that I'm still working hard, and that no matter how old you are or how good you think you are, there is always a way that you can improve."

Jackson also enjoys the opportunities he has to reach out to local children, and even during his hectic senior year, he still visits schools whenever he can. "I didn't grow up with the most stuff in the world and if I can give something back, then that is what I'm going to try and do," Jackson said. "I had my brother when I was young but a lot of kids don't, so I try to help out however I can."

This season will be the last time Jackson will wear the green and gold, but looking back on his years at Baylor he has no regrets. "It sure doesn't seem like five years, that's for sure," Jackson said.

When asked what he will miss the most, Jackson pauses before responding. "I will miss playing for sure," he said. "I'm not ready for it to be over, so I want to go out and play the best that I can in these last few games. I'll miss the guys that I have gotten to know these past years. Guys like Greg Jerman, Jon Erickson, David Armstrong, and Kyle Staudt, these are a bunch of guys I grew up with, they're some of the best friends I have."

When asked how he would like to be remembered at Baylor, Jackson said, "That I enjoyed playing the game, that I gave everybody a run for their money and I played as hard as I could on every snap, and that I like to go out there and compete."

As for that diamond mine in Tanzania? "I've talked to Mom about it a few times and she thinks I'm joking, but I'm kinda serious about it," Jackson said.

And with the success he has enjoyed throughout his football career, it wouldn't be surprising if Jackson returns with a gem that would outshine the Hope diamond.