Following an early practice during the lead-up to Utah’s appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl, oft-injured running back Ja’Quinden Jackson revealed he was feeling a bit conflicted about his future with the Utes.
“I’m definitely playing in the bowl game, but I haven’t made a decision [beyond that] if I was going to stay or leave,” he told The Salt Lake Tribune.
He’s made a decision now.
Four days after the Utes’ 14-7 loss to Northwestern at Allegiant Stadium, Jackson entered the transfer portal, signaling his intent to depart the program, per a report from The Athletic.
Jackson began his career as a quarterback at Texas in 2020, though he did not appear in any games as a true freshman.
He transferred to Utah for the 2021 season, and appeared in three games as a reserve QB, rushing six times for 30 yards and one touchdown. In 2022, he appeared in 13 games — as a quarterback, on special teams, and eventually, as a running back. With injuries taking a toll on Utah’s depth at the position, he was switched to running back mid-season, and took over as the team’s primary player there, ultimately amassing 78 carries for 531 yards and nine TDs.
Jackson entered the 2023 season as the Utes’ unquestioned top running back, figuring to serve as the team’s bell cow in a predominantly run-first attack. And while he was unquestionably Utah’s best and most productive RB (he finished the season with 153 carries for 742 yards and four scores), a sprained ankle suffered early in the season would hamper him all year long and limit his efficacy at times.
He wound up surpassing the century mark in three games, totaling 129 yards at Baylor, 117 yards at USC, and 111 yards against Arizona State.
Heading to the Vegas Bowl, Jackson told reporters his health was as good as it had been in a long time.
“I’m feeling great. Feeling great!” he said. “I’m moving a lot better.”
And in a game where Utah struggled to get much of anything going offensively, Jackson was again one of the Utes’ most productive players — until he got injured, anyway.
Jackson gained 55 yards on eight carries before a hit from the Wildcats’ defense left him shaken and lying on the field for several moments, as he was checked out by trainers.
He would eventually leave the field under his own power, but never returned to the game.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham would only speak generally of Jackson’s injury postgame.
“Hopefully it’s nothing serious. I don’t know definitively yet, but right now, it looks like something that is not going to be long-term,” said Whittingham. “I hope that is the case, while we further evaluate.”
As it turns out, it would not be the injury that would most affect Jackson’s future with the Utes.
(James Roh | Special to The Tribune) Utah Utes running back Ja'Quinden Jackson (3) runs the ball against the California Golden Bears during the first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
Ahead of the bowl game, with the program losing several key players to the transfers, Jackson was asked about them and noted that teammates understood the rationale.
“They’re hitting the portal ‘cause they want to get on the field earlier, and I respect that. You can’t judge ‘em about it,” he said. “Just got to keep moving forward. That’s all we can do.”
The Utes now find themselves having to do that one more time.
