HUNTINGTON Ƶ MarshallƵs newest football transfer portal commitment is Huntington native Zah Jackson, winner of three consecutive Carl Lee Awards as the stateƵs best defensive back during his time with the Highlanders.
Jackson had been recruited to West Virginia by former coach Neal Brown, committed there and went through spring ball with the Mountaineers. He initially chose ƵU over North Carolina State, Mississippi State, Akron, Appalachian State, Bowling Green, James Madison, Kent State, Eastern Kentucky, Toledo and, of course, Marshall.
While the dismissal of Brown and hiring of Rich Rodriguez did not initially change JacksonƵs outlook, Jackson entered the portal after spring ball with five years of eligibility remaining.
According to JacksonƵs social media, Marshall was the first school to give him an offer, and he committed on Thursday.
Jackson is 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds and was one of the most dominant high school defensive backs that the state has ever seen. He had 20 tackles as a safety for the Highlanders in his senior year Ƶ moving from corner to safety.
Lee himself called Jackson Ƶa better player at his age than I was.Ƶ Lee was in the NFL for 11 seasons. Jackson was the Class AAA state championship game MVP in 2022.
Defense grows stronger
Jackson joins a Thundering Herd group of defensive backs that built significant momentum in MarshallƵs spring game.
Boogie Trotter had two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Marvae Myers also brought down one.
The secondary combined for five interceptions on both teams, collecting a handful of pass breakups as well.
Jackson will likely enjoy the approach that Trotter said the HerdƵs staff has been making on defense. Every defensive back is taught with a full skill set in mind Ƶ the ability to play at corner or safety regardless of personnel in depth situations.
ƵCoach (Tony) Gibson knows the details, inside and out, of the defense,Ƶ Trotter said. ƵThat helped me learn faster, and it helped me be a better defensive back.
ƵWe are taught to be versatile. We do everything in the defensive back room.Ƶ
Gibson likely had a hand in JacksonƵs offer from NC State. Cannon Lewis, who played at Cabell Midland with the Wolfpack and is now at Marshall himself, is another example of how much attention Gibson gives to in-state talent.
Lewis said MarshallƵs defense is full of playmakers. Jackson should fit in well when his time comes.
ƵThe way our defense is, we can be in so many different looks,Ƶ Lewis said. ƵWe donƵt just have a box linebacker. We have guys that can rush off the edge, drop into pass coverage, play man on No. 2. ThereƵs so many versatile players. They can all make plays at any time.Ƶ
Lewis figures to know more about GibsonƵs coaching style than any other Herd players.
ƵThe defense is his baby. If you mess it up, youƵre going to hear about it,Ƶ Lewis said. ƵHe holds the defense to a high standard. He knows what level that looks like and what weƵre supposed to be playing at.
ƵYou have 100% confidence in coach and scheme and what youƵre doing. It makes it a lot easier to play.Ƶ
Tyler Kennett is a sports writer for The Herald-Dispatch. Reach him at tkennett@hdmediallc.com. Follow @tylerkennett on X.
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