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OCTOBER 2021 21 Doug Jackson earned an MBA from the University of Michigan, and his son is fol- lowing a similar academic path at UVA. Nick Jackson and third-year long-snapper Tucker Finkelston are the only football players in McIntire this academic year. "It's a lot of work, but at the same time, it's not something unmanageable," said Jackson, who lives with teammates Josh Ahern, a second-year linebacker, and sec- ond-year wideout Nathaniel Beal III. His academic advisor, Glenda Dowdy, joined the UVA athletics department in January. Working with Jackson, she said, has been a pleasure. "Nick is extremely low-maintenance," Dowdy said. "From day one, he's always been one that I didn't have to worry about. He pretty much takes care of what he needs to take care of. Also, he'll reach out for help, so he doesn't slip through the cracks either, so that's nice." When Jackson's football obligations force him to miss a test, Dowdy said, she'll re- mind him to reschedule with the professor. He rarely needs the nudge. "It's always like, 'Yeah, I've already talked to the professor. I'm going to take it before I leave or I'm going to take it when I get back,'" Dowdy said. "Usually when I reach out, he's already taken care of it. I think he really prides himself on that. He's self-suffi- cient, no one really has to get him on track. He stays on track." Poppinga sees the same qualities when Jackson shifts his focus to football. "He does all the extra stuff," Poppinga said. "Any extra meeting, any extra time, he's always putting it in. He's just the guy that al- ways does extra, and he's the guy you want leading your team and getting your guys lined up because he's going to know exactly where everybody is supposed to be and what he's supposed to be doing." "He's the guy that pays attention to de- tail. It's good to have him." Of the Cavaliers' captains this season — quarterback Brennan Armstrong, run- ning back Wayne Taulapapa and defensive lineman Mandy Alonso are the other three — only Jackson is not in his fourth or fifth year in Mendenhall's program. "It means a lot that the guys voted me a captain," the third-year said. "It means a lot that they trusted me with that, and they thought I can hold that responsibility. But there's still work to do." "It became apparent last year that Jack- son had strong leadership qualities," Men- denhall said. "Just through his play because he was in a different role, but he played so consistently and so well and, quite frankly, was our best defensive player last year. So, I think that's what started this as to where he is now." This is the sixth year at UVA for Menden- hall, whose base defense until this season was a 3-4. The Hoos have modified their scheme this fall, and Jackson is often the only inside linebacker on the field. However, he still leads the squad with 46 stops through five games. "It's been different for him, and there have been frustrations along the way," Pop- pinga said. "But I think he's learning and growing and developing in that, and I think with the type of person that he is, it'll help him develop and learn and grow faster. I think he's adjusting, and I think he's on pace to have a great year." Jackson's top priority is helping the Cavaliers return to their winning ways. As a leader, he said, his job is to "build up the guys." He tries to do so by setting a stan- dard for his teammates. "I don't think words really do everything," Jackson said. "There's a time and place for you to speak up, and I definitely think that sometimes we do need to speak up, and I have those chats and talk with the guys. But for the most part, I think it's more just ac- tions. We have to lead by example and show people the way." Jackson is frequently the only inside linebacker on the field in Virginia's revamped defense. (Photo by Pete Emerson/courtesy UVA)