Boulder — Colorado coach Dan Hawkins left the door open, if only a crack, for the possibility that quarterback Bernard Jackson could play in the opener against Colorado State next Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High if the 6-foot, 200-pound senior retains his academic eligibility.
“That’s highly doubtful, but I don’t know,” Hawkins said after a 90-minute workout this morning. “If he were able to come out and put in a good week of practice, if everything is cleared up (academically), then you could probably use him.
“Now, to what extent you’d use him? Probably not much.”
CU’s starting quarterback last season, Jackson was converted in the spring to a “slash” role that includes running, receiving, kick returning and perhaps taking an occasional snap from center. A fifth-year player, Jackson has missed substantial practice time during fall camp while taking summer classes. His academic eligibility for his final season remains in question as he awaits final grades, Hawkins said.
Hawkins has voiced his empathy for Jackson, who helps to care for a 2-year-old son, Jayden. Jackson also is preoccupied with an ill parent living in the Los Angeles area.
Jackson was elected the team’s offensive captain for the 2007 season by his teammates in the spring. If Jackson is unavailable, his leadership duties likely fall to Tyler Polumbus, a senior offensive tackle.
Footnotes
Hawkins, on the three-week fall camp as it comes to an end: “I think it’s been good, I really do. I think the guys worked hard. I think the tempo has been great. There’s been no wasted practices. I think they’ve really answered the bell.” Hawkins said he enjoyed sharing the headliners’ table with CSU coach Sonny Lubick at a Friday luncheon. “Sonny is very salt of the earth,” Hawkins said. “He’s a lot funnier than me, though. I’m more the philosopher. I don’t have funny lines.” For kickoffs against CSU, the choice between regular-placekicker Kevin Eberhart or freshman Tyler Cope may not be made until warm-ups prior to the game, Hawkins said. Eberhart will handle field goal and extra-point duties.
