BUFFALO, N.Y. — Many college football players dream of making it all the way to the NFL, but a 30-year-old player for the University at Buffalo Bulls has taken a different path to get there. His journey has been anything but traditional, a journey that includes being a Navy SEAL.
Even though Damian Jackson never played organized football, he dreamed of going to college and eventually playing professionally.
"I wanted to play a sport in college after I got out of the military. I was a little too big for soccer and baseball at the time. So I thought football would be a good fit even though I've never played it," Jackson said.
He landed a spot on the University of Nebraska's football team, then transferred to UB. Some people train for their entire life to play college football, but Jackson's coach said he had what it took to walk on.
And now, his coach at UB, Coach Ced Douglas also thinks he has a shot to taking his skills to the next level.
"To get to where he got as fast as he did, you watch him work, when nobody is watching. He is in the film room by himself trying to learn the game," Coach Ced said.
Coach Ced said Jackson takes care of his heath. And coaching him has even made him a better coach.
Jackson is currently in a training camp outside of New York state. He will be coming back to Buffalo for Pro Day in March. If he is chosen, Jackson said he would be interested in the Raiders, since he is originally from Vegas. But he would be just as happy to be in any team that takes him in.