How faith, support through injury led Lubbock-Cooper's Jackson Austin to ACU football

How faith, support through injury led Lubbock-Cooper’s Jackson Austin to ACU football

Posted by author February 12, 2025 Football

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WOODROW — It’s common for students to choose Abilene Christian University because of its faith-based focus. For Jackson Austin, the Wildcats’ faith in him made his decision that much easier.

The Lubbock-Cooper senior signed with ACU football after a rocky end to his days as a Pirate. Austin missed a majority of his final season because of injury — throwing a wrench into his recruiting process. Cooper football coach Chip Darden said some schools backed off because of the injury. Not ACU.

That meant everything to Austin.

“Even with my injury, they always kept encouraging me and still believed in me and everything,” Austin said after signing Feb. 5. “That was a big part of it. … Everything happens for a reason. It’s all part of God’s plan. Without God, none of this is possible anyway, and I think they truly believe in that also. Another great reason why I chose there is their faith shown through everything.”

Austin’s ailments began during his junior season. The versatile running back hurt his ankle in Cooper’s seventh game, but he decided to keep it quiet and push through. He finished the season and thought the saga was behind him.

“I ended up just kind of grinding through summer and it kept getting better,” Austin said. “And I was like, ‘Oh, OK, maybe I’m good.’ And then it wasn’t.”

The diagnosis came: a chipped bone, along with multiple torn tendons and ligaments in his ankle. Doctors told Austin if he could withstand the pain, he could take the field.

The decision was easy, even if playing wasn’t.

Austin gutted through the first four weeks last fall before his injuries came to a head. In addition to his ankle problems, the senior suffered a torn turf toe. The combination spelled the end of his season.

“I tried to play as much as I could my senior year for my brothers,” Austin said. “I love everyone here. I went as long as I could.”

He made the most of his time, too. In the limited action, Austin ran for 502 yards and five touchdowns to go with seven catches for 155 yards and two more scores.

Darden said the plan was to limit Austin’s usage in order to prolong his season but “we couldn’t do it. He was too good of a player.”

After the injury, Austin transitioned from “being on the field leading compared to doing it from the sidelines.”

“Honestly I think it helped me overall as a football player,” Austin said, “and just overall person to realize how to deal with different issues.”

Austin got to don a headset and even made a play call once. That resulted in a first down because of defensive pass interference.

Darden said Austin’s elusiveness is one of his best attributes. He compared the senior to former Cooper athlete Nehemiah Martinez, who went on to Texas Tech. Austin said his role at ACU could be similar with a split between slot receiver and running back.

However the Wildcats decide to use Austin, Darden knows they’re getting a special player.

“Just a warrior,” Darden said. “Toughest kid I’ve ever coached. Pretty cool story, I think, about how he wanted to play for Lubbock-Cooper.”