Bo Jackson Is Concerned About Preseason Buildup

Bo Jackson wants to play before talk starts of handing him the Heisman Trophy.

However, it’s his own school that’s tauting him as one of the favorites for college football’s most prestigious honor.

“I don’t see how anyone can pick a number one team or a Heisman Trophy candidate before a season even begins,” says the senior running back from Auburn, a contender for the national title.

“I don’t like all the talk about me and the Heisman. If I have a great season, if we have a great season, then I’ll deal with it.”

Jackson, a 222-pound All-America as a sophomore in 1983, missed more than half of last season after separating his right shoulder.

“My definition of a great season would be to have a better one than all of my other three combined,” he said.

That would mean setting an NCAA record by rushing for more than 2,500 yards.

“The opportunity is there,” said Jackson, who has averaged nearly 7 yards a carry and gained 256 yards against Alabama. “I like to compete under pressure.”

Auburn Coach Pat Dye will assist Jackson. The Tigers lived and died on the wishbone the past three years but will run more out of the I-formation this season. That means Jackson, who averaged less than 15 carries a game in his All-America season, probably will get the ball 25 to 30 times.

“I’ve always told Coach Dye I’ll run the ball as often as the quarterback gives it to me,” Jackson said.

Jackson also wants to avoid comparison with 1982 Heisman Trophy winner--Herschel Walker.

The two are about the same size. Walker sometimes carried more than 40 times a game for Georgia. Jackson doesn’t see himself running as often.

“I don’t think running 40 times a game is good for a running back,” Jackson said. “It uses him up. By the end of the season, he’s too tired.”

Jackson has also been offered a contract to play baseball professionally with the New York Yankees. But his favorite sport is neither football nor baseball.

“If I could make a living running track,” said Jackson, one of the nation’s top college sprinters with a time of 6.18 seconds in the 60-yard dash, “that’s the way I would go.”