University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Jackson Meeks
October 11, 2022 | Football, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Whenever Jackson Meeks is done playing football, hopefully long after the Georgia wide receiver has caught his last pass wearing the red and black, he knows that he wants to do. Meeks, personable and talkative, wants to be on television, maybe a show like ESPN's "First Take," talking football and sports.
Originally a Criminal Justice major, the 6-foot-2 and 205-pound sophomore from Phenix City, Ala., has switched to Communications, with a minor in Sport Management. As a freshman last season, Meeks caught his first pass as a Bulldog against Vanderbilt — an 11-yarder. He also made two special teams tackles in that game. So far this season, he caught three passes (for 31 yards) against Samford and also had a 9-yard reception last week against Vanderbilt.
You might also recognize Meeks as the Bulldog that often breaks through the big "G" banner as the Bulldogs take the field. During a Quick Chat on Monday, Meeks talked about his days playing baseball and basketball, his uncle Za'Darius Smith, a talented defensive end with the Minnesota Vikings, his TV aspirations, and much more.
Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: Did you play a bunch of different sports when you were younger?
Meeks: As a kid running around, I was very energetic. My mom put me in all types of sports to try to get my energy drained out so that at the end of the day I could go to sleep.
I played baseball growing up — I actually was a very good baseball player. When I was 10 years old, I was playing with in the 11s and 12s, and we made it to the third round of the Little League World Series.
As I continued to grow, I started to love football more, so I kind of pushed off baseball. I was a basketball player, as well, since I was in third grade, and I did AAU until about 10th grade. Football just overtook everything else.
Frierson: Is that because you enjoyed it the most or because you realized that your future was brightest in football? Or both?
Meeks: My first love was definitely basketball, but I could see a brighter future in football. I'm not 6-7 or 6-8, and I wasn't a guard, so it would be tough for me to make it to where I want to be in basketball.
Frierson: What sport do you watch the most these days, not counting the football film that you all watch?
Meeks: I'd say football, for sure. I only tap into basketball around playoff time.
Frierson: Does having an uncle that's a good player in the NFL inspire you in some way? Have you asked him a million different questions?
Meeks: I talk to my uncle a good amount, but not necessarily asking him questions. His first love was basketball, too, which is funny, and he didn't start playing football until his 12th-grade year. I haven't asked him too many questions about what I need to do; I'll go see him and be in his environment, and I'll see how he trains and how he eats.
It's not necessarily me asking questions — I'm more of a visual learner and I see how he moves and what he does to keep his body right.
Frierson: Speaking of learning, are you still a Criminal Justice major?
Meeks: No, sir, I've switched to Communications, with a minor in Sport Management.
Frierson: Once you're done playing football, what in a perfect world would you to do?
Meeks: I'm working for "First Take," and I want to be on there arguing with Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Clark. Yes, sir.
Frierson: I'm not the biggest fan of the shows where folks argue all the time, so what do you see that you like when you watch those shows?
Meeks: I see different points of views in different aspects. Ryan Clark can be talking about the Cleveland Browns and how they're playing, and he's coming from a former player point of view. Him watching hours and hours of film and him understanding what coverage they were supposed to be doing. Meanwhile, Stephen A., somebody that's never really played, is coming from more of a fan point of view.
Frierson: Did you spend a good chunk of Sunday watching the RedZone like I did?
Meeks: I'm actually a very avid video game player, so I spent me free day playing video games. (NBA) 2K is definitely my No. 1 right now and Madden (NFL) is my No. 2.
Frierson: What's something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Meeks: Chicken Alfredo, yes sir. It's got to be from scratch though. Heavy whipping cream and the parmesan.
Frierson: Can you cook? Can you make that?
Meeks: Yes, sir. Well, let's say I can follow instructions [laughs]. I'm not going to say I can cook, but I can follow instructions.
Frierson: A year ago against Vandy, you made you first catch. What do you remember about that moment? Did it feel as good as you thought it would?
Meeks: Most definitely. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't nervous — I was pretty nervous when the ball was coming to me. I was like, OK, make the play. And I did.
Frierson: It's funny, I don't know that those of us watching the games think much about the fact that you guys might be nervous out there. You're human and nerves are a part of being human, but maybe we all see you out there and just assume you're impervious to all that.
Meeks: It's definitely gotten easier. There are always a few jitters before games, but when you go out there and you get that first contact or that first hit, it's like, OK, it's back to football.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Staff Writer
Whenever Jackson Meeks is done playing football, hopefully long after the Georgia wide receiver has caught his last pass wearing the red and black, he knows that he wants to do. Meeks, personable and talkative, wants to be on television, maybe a show like ESPN's "First Take," talking football and sports.
Originally a Criminal Justice major, the 6-foot-2 and 205-pound sophomore from Phenix City, Ala., has switched to Communications, with a minor in Sport Management. As a freshman last season, Meeks caught his first pass as a Bulldog against Vanderbilt — an 11-yarder. He also made two special teams tackles in that game. So far this season, he caught three passes (for 31 yards) against Samford and also had a 9-yard reception last week against Vanderbilt.
You might also recognize Meeks as the Bulldog that often breaks through the big "G" banner as the Bulldogs take the field. During a Quick Chat on Monday, Meeks talked about his days playing baseball and basketball, his uncle Za'Darius Smith, a talented defensive end with the Minnesota Vikings, his TV aspirations, and much more.
Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: Did you play a bunch of different sports when you were younger?
Meeks: As a kid running around, I was very energetic. My mom put me in all types of sports to try to get my energy drained out so that at the end of the day I could go to sleep.
I played baseball growing up — I actually was a very good baseball player. When I was 10 years old, I was playing with in the 11s and 12s, and we made it to the third round of the Little League World Series.
As I continued to grow, I started to love football more, so I kind of pushed off baseball. I was a basketball player, as well, since I was in third grade, and I did AAU until about 10th grade. Football just overtook everything else.
Frierson: Is that because you enjoyed it the most or because you realized that your future was brightest in football? Or both?
Meeks: My first love was definitely basketball, but I could see a brighter future in football. I'm not 6-7 or 6-8, and I wasn't a guard, so it would be tough for me to make it to where I want to be in basketball.
Frierson: What sport do you watch the most these days, not counting the football film that you all watch?
Meeks: I'd say football, for sure. I only tap into basketball around playoff time.
Frierson: Does having an uncle that's a good player in the NFL inspire you in some way? Have you asked him a million different questions?
Meeks: I talk to my uncle a good amount, but not necessarily asking him questions. His first love was basketball, too, which is funny, and he didn't start playing football until his 12th-grade year. I haven't asked him too many questions about what I need to do; I'll go see him and be in his environment, and I'll see how he trains and how he eats.
It's not necessarily me asking questions — I'm more of a visual learner and I see how he moves and what he does to keep his body right.
Frierson: Speaking of learning, are you still a Criminal Justice major?
Meeks: No, sir, I've switched to Communications, with a minor in Sport Management.
Frierson: Once you're done playing football, what in a perfect world would you to do?
Meeks: I'm working for "First Take," and I want to be on there arguing with Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Clark. Yes, sir.
Frierson: I'm not the biggest fan of the shows where folks argue all the time, so what do you see that you like when you watch those shows?
Meeks: I see different points of views in different aspects. Ryan Clark can be talking about the Cleveland Browns and how they're playing, and he's coming from a former player point of view. Him watching hours and hours of film and him understanding what coverage they were supposed to be doing. Meanwhile, Stephen A., somebody that's never really played, is coming from more of a fan point of view.
Frierson: Did you spend a good chunk of Sunday watching the RedZone like I did?
Meeks: I'm actually a very avid video game player, so I spent me free day playing video games. (NBA) 2K is definitely my No. 1 right now and Madden (NFL) is my No. 2.
Frierson: What's something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Meeks: Chicken Alfredo, yes sir. It's got to be from scratch though. Heavy whipping cream and the parmesan.
Frierson: Can you cook? Can you make that?
Meeks: Yes, sir. Well, let's say I can follow instructions [laughs]. I'm not going to say I can cook, but I can follow instructions.
Frierson: A year ago against Vandy, you made you first catch. What do you remember about that moment? Did it feel as good as you thought it would?
Meeks: Most definitely. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't nervous — I was pretty nervous when the ball was coming to me. I was like, OK, make the play. And I did.
Frierson: It's funny, I don't know that those of us watching the games think much about the fact that you guys might be nervous out there. You're human and nerves are a part of being human, but maybe we all see you out there and just assume you're impervious to all that.
Meeks: It's definitely gotten easier. There are always a few jitters before games, but when you go out there and you get that first contact or that first hit, it's like, OK, it's back to football.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
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