The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
Just two days after Christmas, Delaware State University made a big splash with the announcement that DeSean Jackson would be their next head football coach.
That news reverberated from Dover to Long Beach, and some of the city’s aspiring football talent received a belated Christmas gift: the gift of opportunity.
One of the most famous names on the Long Beach Poly-to-the-NFL pipeline, Jackson played 15 seasons in the league, building what could prove to be a Hall of Fame resume as a wide receiver and punt returner. After spending the 2024 high school football season as the offensive coordinator at Wilson High, he is now making the leap to college.
Jackson is the latest NFL alum to take the reins of an HBCU, following the likes of Deion Sanders at Jackson State and most recently Michael Vick (Jackson’s former quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles), who was hired at Norfolk State in December.
“The opportunity for me to help write another chapter here at DSU is a once-in-a-lifetime moment consistent with my journey as a young boy finding his way to manhood through mentorship, accountability, achievement, and discipline,” Jackson said in the university’s announcement. “If we build that kind of culture at Delaware State University, we will attract the right talent and radically change the trajectory of this program. I cannot wait to get started.”
Jackson quickly hit the recruiting trail, and he started where he knew best: the Moore League. DSU had eight local players sign in the 2025 class, setting up a promising pipeline in Long Beach.
Wilson High wide receiver Jaden Frauchiger-Newman will rejoin Jackson and former Wilson head coach Travis Clark in Dover next season, along with Long Beach Poly wide receiver Ezequiel Orozco. Both players were First Team All-Moore League wideouts last season.
“The reason why I came (to Poly) was because of DeSean,” Orozco said after signing with DSU. “I saw his receiver tapes, and just to go play for him is a big dream come true. Especially being a Long Beach guy, it was for sure family, so I called it home.”
Most of the incoming players are on the defensive side of the ball, with a pair of Long Beach Poly/LBCC alums the most likely to make an immediate impact. Both Donovan Turner and Torion White will go from the Vikings’ secondary to Delaware State. Each player brings Division 1 experience with stops at UMass and UConn, respectively.
Current Jackrabbit defensive backs Corey Hudson and Tracy Jones III both signed with the Hornets, along with Orozco (all pictured below), during Wednesday’s Signing Day celebration at Poly. They also loved the familiarity of playing for a coach that came from the same program they did.
“I just feel like it’s gonna be great,” said Jones. “This is gonna be more like another Long Beach Poly a little bit. We’re gonna have some of my older brothers there to guide us through college life, and yeah, we’re gonna be straight.”
“It feels good to be under somebody who’s been there, done this,” Hudson added. “We’re gonna learn new things from him, so I’m really grateful, and we’re very blessed to play for DeSean.”
The Hornets also added some local talent from Millikan, where defensive end Malik Jacques locked in with DSU during their Signing Day celebration.
“It’s amazing. He’s actually cooler than I thought he was gonna be,” said Jacques of Coach Jackson, and his decision to sign. “He’s very nice and I love to see coaches that love to help students improve, and that’s what I love about my coach. I’m excited to play for them, I’m excited to go there. He’s improving the school and we’re gonna make history.”
Former Poly wide receiver Jadyn Robinson (#12, pictured above with Jackson) made a splash with his commitment to DSU, giving the Hornets their highest-rated recruit ever. Robinson signed with Delaware State out of Gardena Serra HS, but began his high school career as a Jackrabbit and has been mentored by Jackson throughout his career.
If Jackson can make a successful transition to head coach, his affinity for local talent could prove to be the gift that keeps on giving for athletes looking for a shot at the next level.
