USC football faces Penn State this season in one of the showcases of 2026. ESPN looked at a receiver who will demand the Trojans’ attention: Amarion Jackson.
“Through the NFL draft and portal, Penn State lost its top five leading receivers from last season. The leading returner in receiving yards is tight end Andrew Rappleyea who totaled 180 yards on the season. Though Penn State addressed some of that need with portal and high school signings, Jackson might have found a role. An early enrollee, Jackson was not expected to be used at receiver coming in as a safety, but moved to receiver because of injuries. He caught the attention of Campbell who said he didn’t ‘know if there was a true freshman that’s had a better spring than he has.’
“Jackson followed Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State, flipping his pledge. He certainly will bring value in whatever role he earns this fall. Jackson is a smooth vertical route runner and picks up ground quickly as a long strider. He also provides a reliable target for the quarterback having natural hands.”
USC’s defense has a lot to prove this season. Indiana and Oregon might be the kinds of challenges the Trojans’ defense can’t solve, though that remains to be seen. Penn State has an offense the Trojans should be able to contain, but if USC wants to make sure the Nittany Lions don’t take control of that contest, corralling Amarion Jackson (figuratively, not literally — that would be pass interference) is a central part of the Trojans’ formula.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC opposing player scouting report – Amarion Jackson, Penn State
Reporting by Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
