When one thinks of a five-star recruit, that typically coincides with a winning high school football program.

Early in the season for Phoenix (Ariz.) North Canyon five-star offensive tackle Austin Jackson and his teammates, that holds true.



Jackson and company are 2-0.

And that’s a big deal.

Prior to this season, the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Jackson and anyone else who played varsity with him the last three seasons had only won three games combined, including zero in 2014.

With a new coach and the same-old Jackson leading the locker room, North Canyon is a reenergized program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2011.

“He’s by far the leader of our team,” Coach Jose Lucero said. “He’s the guy that stirs the drink. The kids respond to him.”

Ranked by 247Sports as the No. 9 recruit in the country regardless of position, Jackson earned offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, UCLA and USC along with the in-state powers Arizona and Arizona State because of his freakish athleticism and upside for a guy his size.

A prototypical left tackle recruit, Jackson is smooth, has great feet and length. In pass protection there isn’t a mark he can’t quickly hit to get into position to hold off pass rushers. The balance he has is tremendous.

“He’s able to transition that athleticism and translate it into powerful movements on the football field,” Lucero said.

It’s obvious what Jackson brings to the table on the field, but the way he carries himself off it is why he likely succeeds at the next level and beyond.

An aspiring lawyer, Jackson never thought about leaving North Canyon through the tough times. The losses. The blowout losses. He rode it out, became a leader and more than anything wanted to see his high school community have some success before heading elsewhere.

He’s playing his best ball in his final season. In addition to lining up at offensive tackle, Jackson has played across the defensive line, he’s been used some at outside linebacker and he also has his first-career rushing score lining up in the backfield in a goal-line situation.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked and he’s done it in a dominant fashion,” Lucero said. “The impact he’s had it’s huge.”

High on his opportunities from Arizona State, USC and Nebraska, Jackson is naturally having the most fun he’s ever had playing the game, using the word uplifting several times when talking about it.

“It’s something new for everybody,” the future U.S. Army All-American said. “I think a lot of the guys we have a good head right now. We want it to keep happening. We started 2-0 but don’t want to finish 2-8. It’s something we’re all worried about and something we’re working towards improving.”

In training camp till now, Jackson has asserted himself as a vocal captain. After each practice he has something to say to his teammates. He’s always challenging his guys, doesn’t matter if it’s a senior playing next to him or a sophomore playing a few snaps, he treats everyone the same.

“That’s why I think kids gravitate towards him,” Lucero said. “His leadership can’t be understated.”

Lucero thought North Canyon could win right away. He came over following a successful four-year run at Desert Edge where as offensive coordinator with an offensive line background, he helped them make four final fours, two state title games including last year’s championship.

Jackson quickly bought in to the new regime and everyone followed.

“I always had the highest hopes but there was a different feeling this year to years prior,” he said.

Jackson said that USC, Arizona State and Nebraska will for sure get official visits. He said he’s looking into Arizona, Michigan and Texas A&M as possible trips for the other two. Nothing is scheduled to date.

A California native, USC is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite.

Jackson does not have a timetable for a college decision and he's having too much fun with his own season to worry about it now.