Austin Jackson had 32 tackles in nine games during his first and only season at East Tennessee State University.

For ETSU (2-9), it was the first season of football since 2003. After playing as an independent in 2015, the Bucs will join the Southern Conference this fall.

Jackson would rather play for Clemson in the ACC. Kwame Dixon, his head coach at Green Hope High School in Cary, N.C., spoke with TheClemsonInsider.

“Austin was a very talented athlete. He played a lot of different things as he made his way up from freshman to sophomore year,” Dixon said. “His junior year, started at wide receiver. Then, his senior year, he started for us as an outside linebacker and also rushed the passer.”

Jackson is listed at 6-2, 186 on the ETSU website.

“Ran track in high school, very fast. I’m not sure, at that level, where he’ll end up,” Dixon said, “But the fact that he made such a bold move, because he was a scholarship player at ETSU.

“To pass that up to have an opportunity to play at the highest level, it’s pretty commendable.”

As a senior in high school, Jackson averaged 7.1 tackles per game.

“He certainly has the ability and he’s a very intelligent kid, too. I’m excited to see how it works out,” Dixon said.

If you haven’t already order your copy today of Guts & Glory – Tales of Clemson’s Historic 2015 Football Season to help you celebrate and remember this special season.