Why Joe Jackson chose to stick with Kansas State football

Joe Jackson nearly lost his spot as Kansas State’s top running back midway through the 2025 season. After taking over for an injured teammate, he struggled to prove he deserved the carries. His rushing yards dipped, and fans wondered why coaches kept giving him chances. But Jackson stayed patient and kept working, even when the results weren’t always clear. Then came a breakout game against Utah. Jackson exploded for 293 yards and three touchdowns, averaging over 12 yards per carry. The next week, he rushed for 142 more yards and three more scores. Suddenly, no one questioned his talent. His coach even called him one of the best running backs in their conference.When the team’s offense coordinator left for Texas A&M, Jackson could have followed. Instead, he chose to stay under the new coach, Collin Klein, who had recruited him in the first place. Klein’s offense is known for its strong running game—ranking near the top in college football. Jackson sees this as his chance to grow even more. But staying wasn’t just about the system. Jackson admits he needed to improve his patience and trust his instincts. He’s also stepping into a bigger leadership role, something that doesn’t come naturally to him. Even as an introvert, he’s learning to speak up for his teammates. The Wildcats didn’t just rely on Jackson, though. They added three new running backs through transfers, each bringing a different skill set. The coaches plan to rotate them, letting the "hot hand" get most of the carries. Jackson knows he has to earn every snap, but he’s also committed to helping his teammates improve.