Steve Sarkisian Plans Heavy Dose Of Adoree’ Jackson

Adoree’ Jackson will play big role on defense, offense, AND special teams. Should Steve Sarkisian be concerned of burning the sophomore out?

Adoree Jackson‘s freshman campaign begun with plenty of speculation that he would be a two-way player for the USC Trojans.

He’s seen most of his two-way action in the first and last four games of the season.

Although Jackson scored 3 touchdowns and had 11 touches on offense, his primary position was corner back, and he also split time as the team’s top kick returner.

This season Jackson’s load will be a little….well a lot, heavier.

The Trojans corner will spend 11 training-camp practices on defense before moving exclusively to offense for six.

Afterwards, he will alternate between sides of the ball.

Adoree’ Jackson’s load does not end there, however.

Jackson will also be the primary kick and punt returner going into the 2015-16 season.

Jackson only returned two punts last season for 12 yards, in large part because punt returns was Nelson Agholor‘s job, however we all know his worth as a kick returner (23 returns for 684 yards and 2 touchdowns).

Adoree’s athleticism for the Trojans is obviously without question.

His play-making skills from nearly day 1 arrival to USC campus have been nothing short of amazing.

Jackson has learned the defensive system and scheme well enough that it has warranted confidence among the coaching staff.

Now, Jackson can maximize his talent by spreading himself into other realms of the game to be a constant factor.

“He’s too talented not to put the ball in his hands.”

Steve Sarkisian, USC Football Coach

“I’d be foolish not to give him the ball. A lot of it is going to depend on the development of our other DBs and how much we can reduce some of his role on defense to maximize him more on offense. But he’s too talented not to put the ball in his hands,” Steve Sarkisian said.

The question that remains, though, is there a cause for concern of burning Adoree’ Jackson out?

“I’m not going to put him out there to run 12 go-routes a game just to wear him out,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got to be smart the way we use them.”

In “being smart” the way Adoree Jackson is used, perhaps that means there is an open door for competition for punt/kick return duties to be split.

JuJu Smith is likely to team up with Jackson on kick returns, and likely will see many kickoffs his way as teams steer clear of Adoree’ Jackson.

The Trojans however may want to eye Steven Mitchell, Chris Hawkins, or even Jalen Greene.

The Trojans have an abundance of talent who have a multitude of versatility that can be assets to their success.

Although Adoree’ Jackson is seemingly the team’s transcendent star in the making, he will need rest and relief performing so many tasks.

With USC’s secondary (and defense) appearing as one of the PAC-12’s , and arguably, the nation’s best,  Jackson’s ability as an offensive threat is starting to take priority for Steve Sarkisian to use.

There must be a fair monitoring conversely of Jackson’s usage to prevent fatigue, or worse — injury.