Joe Jackson is Kansas State’s bursty, big-play back with breakout upside in 2026
In the 2025 season, Joe Jackson surged from backup to featured runner, finishing with 911 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns, then returning for the 2026 season as a senior and one of K-State’s most proven playmakers[6][12]. His calling card is juice: elite burst, decisive cuts, and enough tackle-breaking power to flip a game in one or two snaps, which showed up in his record-setting 293-yard explosion against Utah and 142-yard follow-up against Colorado in 2025[3][12]. He fits a run-first attack well, though his value rises when he’s paired with a line that can create daylight and keep him on schedule[8][9].
