His confidence higher than ever, kicker Richard Jackson believes he can be the solution in the area most troubling Clemson University football coach Dabo Swinney.
Jackson converted four of five field goal attempts during the first preseason scrimmage, then missed an extra point.
Swinney winced and pursed his lips.
“It has been up and down with our kickers,”
Swinney said. “I'm just looking for someone to be consistent day in and day out. Right now, we're not there yet.”
Kicking has been a recurring frustration for Clemson coaches for more than a decade, and Swinney hoped the solution would be either Jackson, a junior from Riverside High School, or redshirt freshman Spencer Benton of Myrtle Beach.
Swinney suggested kicking might very well be the Tigers' best offensive weapon at some juncture this season -- “We're going to have to win a 12-9 game somewhere along the line”
-- and having someone dependable would be more comforting.
Benton has been dealing with a groin injury, which may explain his 0-for-4 performance in the scrimmage, so the door is open for Jackson. The Tigers scrimmage again Saturday and Tuesday.
“I'm relaxed and having fun out there,”
Jackson said. “I think I lost that for a while.”
Ruled academically ineligible for the Gator Bowl, Jackson drew on the strength and support of his family, friends and high school coaches to come back stronger. He changed majors and worked to retool and refine his skill.
In the spring game, he nailed three field goal attempts and three extra points.
“I started making strides in the spring,”
he said. “I was more consistent and more confident and striking the ball well, but the timing was a little slow.”
“This summer I made real big strides with my timing.”
In addition, Jackson has challenged sophomore punter Dawson Zimmerman. “I've been excited with the way I've been punting,”
Jackson said. “It's just something I've always enjoyed doing. It feels good to hit a good punt and see it up there with a good spiral.”
While Swinney is encouraged by the punting, not so the kicking.
Special teams coach Andre Powell urged Jackson to remove a step from his approach to shave the gap between snap and launch.
Much like learning a new dance move, it has taken time to acclimate.
“I'm real pleased with the way I'm kicking,”
Jackson said. “It hasn't completely carried over in live kicks.”
“There are flashes,”
he said, “but there are still some things that aren't as consistent as I want to be yet.”
Ed McGranahan can be reached at 298-4310.
