Adoree’ Jackson becomes USC’s all-time leader in kick return yards

Adoree’ Jackson knew that he was closing in on a 24-year record at USC. 

Jackson said he told teammate Ajene Harris to stand clear when California launched a kickoff so he could return the ball, no matter where it was kicked on the field.

“I said, ‘Next time you can have it’,” Jackson said, smiling, after a 45-24 victory Thursday night over the Golden Bears.

Harris understood and moved aside as Jackson ran to field and return the kickoff, becoming the Trojans’ all-time leader in kick return yards, with 1,779. He broke Curtis Conway’s career total of 1,723 yards, set in 1992.

“I knew I could get it,” Jackson said, adding that he was made aware he was close to the record after the Trojans’ victory at Arizona. “That was a shocker when I figured out I was up for it. I didn’t know I was up there, close enough. I didn’t even know I had enough yardage because too many people were kicking away from me.”

Conway, a former USC all-American, tweeted to Jackson after he broke the record. “Congrats @AdoreeKnows breakin my kickoff return record Lil bro.I'm happy for you man,” Conway wrote. 

Jackson, a junior, returned two kicks for 56 yards against the Bears. 

lindsey.thiry@latimes.com

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