When Brian Jackson didn't sign a NFL or Arena Football League contract, the former Ball State place-kicker thought he would have to wait a year to begin his professional football career.
After a poor tryout with the Chicago Bears, Jackson went through two short stints with the AFL's New York Dragons to fill in for the team's injured kicker. However, once the starting kicker recovered, New York decided to let Jackson go in the middle of June.
"I've had an array of things going through my mind this summer," Jackson said. "When I didn't make the Bears or [Dragons], I thought I was pretty much done this year."
Jackson decided to become a counselor at Georgia Southern Kicking Camp. Before he could focus on his life outside of football, his agent told him about the newly formed All-American Football League, which only accepts players that have earned their college degree and have no more collegiate eligibility left.
Jackson filled out an application and was accepted Friday as one of 338 players to attend the league's combine, which begins Monday in Orlando, Fla., at the Citrus Bowl.
"I'm just thrilled to have another opportunity," Jackson said. "The guys who are at the combine are going to be the guys who have a great chance of making a team in the league."
During his senior year with the Cardinals, Jackson was the Mid-American Conference's Special Teams Player of the Year, connecting on 17 of 19 field goals and 37 of 38 extra points. Those numbers were good enough to earn Jackson a nomination as one of 20 finalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award, which is given each year to the best place-kicker in NCAA Division I-A football.
Ball State coach Brady Hoke said he believes Jackson will find success as a professional place-kicker.
"Brian has proven to be a very accurate kicker and he has the right mental makeup," Hoke said. "I think that mental attitude and his approach is something that he has an upper hand in against other kids his age. He was always a guy who was trying to better himself."
Jackson said his senior season made him believe he could start a professional football career after college.
"My senior season gave me tremendous confidence," Jackson said. "I've been thinking about what my mental mindset was during my senior year and trying to go back to that."
After spending the past couple months searching for a football home, Jackson said he wants to find his place in the AAFL.
"I would be completely satisfied," Jackson said. "The NFL has always been my dream, and I look at this as the same dream. If I can train the next five or six months and find a team, that would be great."
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