By: Matt Florjancic '07
BEREA, Ohio – Devontae Jackson simply was trying to protect a teammate, and that one decision in a preseason workout ended his 2023 season before it even had a chance to fully get underway.
The veteran linebacker for the Baldwin Wallace University football team attempted to avoid a collision with a cornerback and wide receiver, who were going over the middle of the field on a pass play, and instead, doing so resulted in him experiencing complete tears of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial collateral ligament) and meniscus in his left knee.
“That was actually my first injury ever,” Jackson said.
“It was very frustrating, honestly. I was just so angry at so many different aspects of my life at the time because not only was that going on, but stuff back at home was going on, and it was just a lot for me. But I will say just being able to still be a part of the team, and honestly, leaning on God just helped me through it all.”
Near Disaster
There is not much good news that comes from a post-injury evaluation, especially one that involves multiple ligament tears.
It is one thing to have a season-ending injury, but as bad as that is, physically and mentally, Jackson was given quite the reality check when meeting with the doctor ahead of the surgery to repair the damage.
“At one point in time, the doctor actually told me, ‘if your meniscus was to fully tear even slightly more, you would never play the game of football again,’” Jackson said. “I kind of just took that and went straight to God with it and just kind of closed my eyes and what they call a trust fall. That’s kind of what I can say to describe how my faith is, just leaning back and letting Him handle it all.
“Just hearing those words and kind of thinking back, looking at film and any of my past experiences, it’s like I get the question to myself, ‘Did I really give 110%?’ Now that I get this second chance, I feel like I have no choice but to give 110%, so it definitely shifted my perspective. That’s from day to day. Every single day I’m on the field, every day matters to me. Every little detail matters.”
Early Setback
While the surgery to repair the ligaments was supposed to get Jackson on the road to recovery, there was a significant detour early in the process.
Rather than continue on in his rehabilitation work, Jackson had to undergo a second surgery because of “general scar tissue issues.” This procedure was referred to as a “manipulation surgery,” which was done to increase his range of motion.
“It was just too much buildup, so I had to get another surgery, which put me back probably, I want to say maybe another three or so months,” Jackson said. “It was hard, but I got through it, just maintaining that relationship with God.”
Coaching Up Teammates
While dealing with his second surgery, Jackson remained around the team as much as possible.
It was during games, practices and off-the-field workouts where Jackson took on the unofficial role of mentor to his teammates.
In order to be an effective leader, even though the ability to do so by example was taken away because of the injury, Jackson relied on his previous two years of experience at Baldwin Wallace to help him guide others.
“I know a lot of the people we recruit come from out of town or maybe out of state as well,” Jackson said. “I was just trying to be as close as possible with them, making connections with people who are feeling maybe like, ‘Oh, I don’t feel I’m supposed to be here. I’d rather be back home.’
“I feel like I have an energy and just the vibe to myself that I bring to the team that was needed. Not even just then, but now, in any way I could, I just wanted to be able to be there for them. If it wasn’t on the field, it was off the field, academically, mentally, spiritually.
“Wherever I could help, I just wanted to be a part of it. Really, my coaches emphasized that for me, making sure, even though I still was doing what I was doing rehab-wise, just still coming back and being with the team and making sure I still enjoyed my time here.”
Passion for the Game
Long before the beginning of the 2024 season, Jackson made the decision that he would use the year of eligibility from his injury-impacted 2023 year to return to the Yellow Jackets as a player for 2025.
That decision was made because of Jackson’s love for the game of football.
“Honestly, it was a no brainer for me,” Jackson said. “I’ve always played football since the age of seven, man, and I’ve loved it. Football is way more than just football to me, so to just walk away from it was never an option for me.
“I really can’t find enough words to say it’s worth it. I wouldn’t even have expected myself to be in this spot to begin with. I would say it’s more than worth it. It’s everything I dreamed of and more, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Returning to Game Action
Speaking of being fired up, Jackson dealt with a whirlwind of emotions and was plenty motivated when he took the field for the Yellow Jackets in their 41-7 road victory over the Wilmington College Quakers in Week 2 of the 2024 season.
Having to miss Week 1 because he still found himself working back from the 2023 knee injury, Jackson returned and made one solo tackle in limited action.
“I wasn’t nervous at all,” Jackson said. “I had been thinking about my first game back since I got injured. Honestly, it was just as Coach Jim Hilvert always says, ‘focus.’ I just wanted to make sure no matter how the cards were played, that I did my job to the fullest extent ever.
“One thing that I took away from being injured was you never know when it’s your last play, so every play I was out there, I just tried my best to do everything, give the game everything I had. That was just my main thing.
“When I first touched the field, hearing the whole crowd, this is at our away game, hearing the crowd from BW just roar and clap me onto the field, it was definitely something special. I’ll definitely remember that for the rest of my life.”
First Home Game
Although Jackson returned in Week 2 of the 2024 season, he had to wait a little bit longer to make his return on Tressel Field inside the George Finnie Stadium at Baldwin Wallace.
Having missed the home opener, Jackson waited until the Week 4 matchup with Mount Union to play his first game in Berea since the injury. He registered one solo tackle and two assists in the loss to the Purple Raiders.
“Man, I don’t think it’s a better feeling than being in Finnie,” Jackson said. “Honestly, I haven’t been playing a game in Finnie in so long, so when I first touched the field, I definitely shed a few tears. I’m not going to lie, but just tears of joy, excitement, and just being grateful for the opportunity to do this again because a year ago, I wasn’t able to.”
Second Year Out
The long-held belief is that it takes a full year to get back to normal after an ACL reconstruction, and Jackson understands that.
Jackson made five solo tackles and 15 assists with one for lost yardage and combined on a sack for the Yellow Jackets last year. Also, he recovered one fumble and intercepted a pass while being limited to eight games.
“It feels amazing, honestly,” Jackson said. “Last year, I had to play with a brace the entire year, so I would say the biggest thing for me is not having that brace on. I kind of feel free. Not only that, it is also a confidence thing. Now, I feel like I’ve had a year under my belt really just being able to go out there and play freely, honestly. It just feels amazing.”
Making an Impact
This season, Jackson is leaving everything on the field in an effort to get the Yellow Jackets back to the postseason for the first time since 2003.
Through five games, Jackson has 13 solo and 12 assisted tackles with four stops for lost yards, one sack, two pass breakups and two interceptions.
Jackson’s second interception of the season came when he jumped a screen route and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown in a 63-21 win over the Wilmington Quakers in the 2025 home opener on September 13.
“It was just a combination of some time spent in the film room, my coaches and preparations throughout the week,” Jackson said. “It was the safety behind me. T.J. Handsel, he just let me know. We’re all screaming it out, ‘Screen, screen, screen,’ so it was kind of them solidifying my decision to jump it. The moment I saw the quarterback take his drop and go for his read, I just went and took my steps, and I took it all the way.”
Admittedly, Jackson knew he had to make it all the way to the end zone, or he would never have heard the end of it from teammates.
“Oh yeah, they’ve been on me bad, man,” Jackson said with a laugh. “Everybody is pretty much saying, ‘We saw you get out fast, but you started to slow down. We got worried.’ I told them boys, ‘Man, I would never give that up, man. I need that.’
“That was actually my first touchdown here. I’ve never scored a touchdown here. It was actually my first interception at George Finnie Stadium as well.
“I knew I had a long way to go, but hearing the crowd and hearing everybody, it just pushed me a little bit more, ‘Just give it some more,’ and I got there.”
Last Go Around
Jackson is playing in his final season with the Yellow Jackets, and they enter this week’s game against Rose-Hulman at 4-1 overall and 3-1 in Ohio Athletic Conference play. Currently, they are in the “Others Receiving Votes” category in the D3football.com Top 25.
While Jackson and his teammates have the mindset of getting to the postseason, there are still six regular-season games to be played, including three at home and three on the road.
“Personally, my goals are to just come out every day and give 110% and just to do my job,” Jackson said. “No matter where the result is, no matter where I’m at, who we play, whoever is beside me, in front of me, just do my job and give it 110%, and I’ll let God handle the rest.
“As far as the team, I feel like the sky’s the limit for us. We’re playing at such a high level right now, and I think one thing we’re doing well is not being too high and not too low. Just staying consistent, and I feel like that’s really going to put us in a great place to continue our success this season.”
Credits:
Matt Florjancic '07