In 2014, reeling from an a 0-2 start, Northwestern turned to a 5-foot-11, 185-pound true freshman running back with the hope that he could provide a spark. He handled 21 carries for 92 yards and added his second career touchdown as Northwestern won 24-7 over Western Michigan.
Little did anyone know that that game would signal the beginning of one of the greatest careers in Northwestern backfield history.
The Justin Jackson era arrived just a few months after the the former four-star recruit traded his graduation cap for a purple helmet, making the short trip from Carol Stream, Illinois, to Evanston.