Coach Jackson and Defensive Line “Revel” in Continuity and Young Talent

By Jude McClaren
Assistant Sports Director

Ahead of their final practices of fall camp, the Texas State football team took the field for a scrimmage that put the Bobcats in multiple game time situations. Head coach Jake Spavital has made crucial in-game capacities a core part of team practices throughout fall camp.

The defensive line has been considered to be “in the trenches” ahead of their season opener in less than three weeks. During a coaching staff reconfiguration, the defensive line got a new coach; Tremaine Jackson.

Just hired in January, coach “Jack,” as the players like to call him, has already made an impression on a group that returns four upperclassman and includes just two true freshman.

During media day, junior defensive tackle Caeveon Patton commended his new coach and described how Jackson approaches teaching the locker room.

“He knows we have an semi-older room, so he knows we can get the job done and have fun at the same time,” Patton said when describing Coach Jackson. “But if we’re not doing what we need, he’ll put his foot down.”

The main philosophy Jackson instills is one of consistency. Doing the same things everyday to improve, clean up the little things and evaluate by watching film.

“It doesn’t change for us,” Jackson said. “We’ve got to keep our pads low, move our feet on contact, stay physical, we’re gonna keep harping on the little things.”

Graduate senior Ishmael Davis even reiterated this philosophy after his performance in the scrimmage with a short yet simple response.

“I don’t know, I haven’t watched film yet,” Davis said.

While the Bobcats didn’t have that large of recruiting class this past spring, the veterans of the defensive line and coach Jackson are “reveling” over freshman Jordan Revels. Revels had a sack in Saturday’s scrimmage, grabbing the attention of Jackson, Davis and Patton in the process.

“One guy who’s really showing out is Jordan Revels,” Patton said. “He comes to work everyday, asks questions, wants to learn, wants to get better, he reminds me of myself.”

Revels played at North Shore High School in Houston, a known football powerhouse. Revels seems to be living up to his school’s prestige before he’s even attended a college class.

Coach Jackson and the defensive line still have work to do but they’ll certainly improve by sticking to the plan they’ve been following throughout the summer and fall.

“We’re trying to make sure our room stays loving each other and (continues to) really get to know and play for each other,” Jackson said.

If you want to follow the Texas State defensive line throughout the season, you can check out all the action on KTSW 89.9.

Feature image courtesy of Texas State Athletics.