Iowa State’s Daniel Jackson nominated for Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award

Iowa State’s Daniel Jackson was nominated for the 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award this week. Jackson, a redshirt junior, has become a key contributor for the Cyclones after suffering a broken foot in his freshman year after being injured in a serious car accident in high school.


“I had a broken nose,” Jackson told the Des Moines (Iowa) Register this season. “I tried to stop but the brakes locked up. “The first doctor I saw said I would never play football again. “


Jackson remained conscious and fled the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. He also had a plate inserted into his head. Doctors told his parents he was lucky to be alive.


The West Wollo, Texas, native has missed the first three games of Byron Steele II’s senior season with mononucleosis. The wide receiver recovered quickly and played the final game of his high school career, a playoff loss to Westlake.


Iowa State never wavered in its commitment to Jackson, who had five catches in the first four games of his rookie season with the Cyclones in 2020. He then suffered a broken foot that sidelined him for the remainder of his rookie season but allowed him to redshirt.


The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Jackson has 14 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns this season. He had a breakout performance in a win over Oklahoma State in September to open Big 12 play, catching six passes for 90 yards and two scores.


Jackson has 23 career catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns. His Cyclones are 6-4 overall and tied for second in the Big 12 Conference as they prepare to face Texas in the home finale this Saturday night.