November 18, 2025 • 8 mins
The punt returner from Simsbury and Avon Old Farms on learning his craft from TJ Sheffield and how good he was at Lacrosse growing up
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the Yukon Football Coaches Show.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Mike chris Pino, joined by Jackson Harper of the Huskies,
red shirt sophomore six two two hundred and primarily punt returning,
but receiving as well, and now in his third season
with the Huskies. Jackson, Let's start with your getting to Yukon.
As a young guy in high school at Simsbury, Connecticut,
(00:23):
you were more of a lacrosse player. Tell me what
happened because all of a sudden you're playing big time
college football.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
I mean I played lacrosse all year round from when
I was three years old and I was I was
really playing an unplaying college lacrosse. But some injuries early
on in my high school career in lacrosse season sort
of forced me to get recruited off of my football
tape because I didn't have any lacrosse tape, and I
(00:51):
was fortunate enough to pick up some offers, including Yukon,
and so that's how I ended up here.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
That's a process, finding a tape and editing things together
that work for you. How much do you find coaches
look at that? Do they when you talk to coaches
when you're being recruited, do they start talking to you about,
you know, your tape and what you've been doing.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Yeah, I mean I think your your tape is your resume.
That's where the coaches can truly see what type of
player you are. You know, obviously in high school you
got to go through the camp circuit and work out
in front of these coaches. But yeah, having a good
especially your junior year, having a good junior year tape,
I think is what was like, what is essential to
get recruited.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Your first experiences with Jim Moore when you met him
and talked to him about perhaps coming to Yukon.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Uh, tell me, tell me about that.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
First impressions they make them They make a difference, don't they.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Yeah, I'd tell you first impression of coach Mora is that,
you know, he's a guy that definitely knows what he's doing.
He was very confident in himself and his staff that
he was bringing in. And I mean he's done a
great job here. Since I've been here, I've kind of
been able to witness the rise of Yukon football. You know,
they had a good first year before I got here,
(02:09):
but even from my first year to now, just everything
throughout the organization has just been stepped up all around.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
So I think it's done. Great job.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Jackson Harper with us on the Yukon Football Coaches Show.
How when you say stepped up, how does that manifest
itself in your everyday workouts and being a Yukon football player.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
I think it has an impact on the players a lot,
just to just see you know, the staff being upgraded,
to see all the coaches stepping up around you.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
It just elevates the whole program and.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Makes everyone perform at a higher level in a back aspects,
you know, no matter what their job is, whether like
the training room or the assistant coaches, all.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
The way up to the head coach and then all
the way to the players.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Yeah, it does start from the top. It matters what
everyone else is doing.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Is well, let's talk about Avon Old Farms from the
Founders League over there in Avon, you were there for
I think two years is that correct?
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Four years?
Speaker 1 (03:08):
All? Four?
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Okay, So that's a great preparation for college. I think
let's start with the education part, because I mean they're
serious over there the way they take their education, aren't they.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
I mean AOF is a great school. All around athletics
and academics. I got nothing but good, good things to
say about everybody at Avon Old Farms.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
It's a great place.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
The Founders League championship was kind of elusive for Avon
Old Farms until this past weekend when they finally wonted
under head coach John Hooley, a former Husky himself. And
I understand is what the guys told me over there
that you set a little tape to the players. What
did you have to say to them before the game?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Yeah, A bunch of the alumni we just thought, like,
send a video just wishing them good luck.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
That we've been.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Following them all year long and see we've been seeing
all the success they've been having. And so just a
bunch of alumni. One of the assistant coaches put together
a video of just all of us wishing good luck
to the guys for the game.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Obviously that helped, I think, right, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
I mean, I hope it helped.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
But coach he definitely has them more prepared than any
team in the country.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Yeah, and it paid off, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Punt punt returning, let's talk about that, because that's not
an easy gig.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
That's a tough job.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
I think you've had eighteen of them this year, and
punt returns are kind of diminished a little bit. With
the good kickers that are around on the college level,
they know how to kick it high and on angles.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
But you're not eighteen chances.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
I think, to me, the toughest decision and you can,
you can correct me if I'm wrong here is deciding
which ones you're gonna field, which ones are going to
let drop, and which ones are gonna fair catch.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Yeah, and that's just it really takes reps in time.
You know, earlier in the year, I was catching some
that I should have been fair catching. But you know,
as the years progressed, I've just felt more and more
comfortable back there each week, and I just try to
do the best I can with the opportunity I have
(05:13):
to have an impact on the game.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Yeah, experience matters there for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
You've had a twenty one yard return against Central, twenty
five yards against ball State, nineteen against Rice, and that
thirty seven yard against UiB that was kind of like
a Kamakazi if I remember right, because it was a
low angle kick. If I remember, is that the one
that you were able to pick it up and get
down the sideline and turn it into big yardage.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
I mean whenever the punter kicks like a line drive
and it's not hanging up there in the air, it
sets you up to have a chance at a return.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
So those are the punts you're looking for.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
But yeah, when they kick it, when it's a good
punter and he knows how to kick it high in
the air give the coverage team time to get down there,
that usually makes it tough. But I've had a good,
good amount of chances that returns. Yeah, kers have done
a great job looking for me.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Yeah, it's paid off, no quite, But field position matters
in these games.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
CON's been in a bunch of.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Close ones quickly on TJ Sheffield, he was last year's
punt returner primarily, but kind of understudying a guy like that,
what did you learn and when did it start to
kind of be absorbed when you got on the field
this year.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Yeah, I mean learning from TJ was great. I mean
he was really good at catching punts. He he sort
of taught me how to track the punts and how
to catch them consistently, and so being able to learn
from him had definitely helped me feel more comfortable heading
into this year for when it was my turn.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
And yeah, you know, I'm.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Grateful to I've been able to play with the player
like him, to learn from them.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Finally you go from kind of a Chili day, New
England day, last weekends air Force.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Now you go south in Florida.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
What is the difference in climate for you as a returner.
Someone's got to handle the ball. It's kicked thirty forty
yards in the year. Is there is there any difference
at all?
Speaker 4 (07:07):
The weather is huge for returning punts, and thankfully we've
been We've been pretty lucky with weather this year. We
haven't dealt with any rain. A little rain at Rice,
but we haven't dealt with any rain. It's really rain
and wind and the cold are the hardest things on punts.
But we haven't had any windy days. So being down south,
(07:28):
I mean, it should be good conditions. But yeah, the
weather definitely has a big impact on catching punts.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
And how important is winning this last game.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
It's very important. You know, we're trying to get ten
wins and so we need to get nine wins to
get ten. So we're just focusing on this game.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
All right, Jackson appreciate it. I like the math.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
By the way, if you don't get nine, you can't
get ten. I should have thought of that myself. Yeah,
as Jackson Harper, as we wrap it up, you got
football Coaches shows. Thanks to Jim Moore, umar To Yamande
and Jackson Harper. The Huskies get after it at Florida
and Atlantic this weekend.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Be sure to tune it in. Thanks for joining us.
Welcome back to the Yukon Football Coaches Show.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Mike chris Pino, joined by Jackson Harper of the Huskies,
red shirt sophomore six two two hundred and primarily punt returning,
but receiving as well, and now in his third season
with the Huskies. Jackson, Let's start with your getting to Yukon.
As a young guy in high school at Simsbury, Connecticut,
(00:23):
you were more of a lacrosse player. Tell me what
happened because all of a sudden you're playing big time
college football.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
I mean I played lacrosse all year round from when
I was three years old and I was I was
really playing an unplaying college lacrosse. But some injuries early
on in my high school career in lacrosse season sort
of forced me to get recruited off of my football
tape because I didn't have any lacrosse tape, and I
(00:51):
was fortunate enough to pick up some offers, including Yukon,
and so that's how I ended up here.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
That's a process, finding a tape and editing things together
that work for you. How much do you find coaches
look at that? Do they when you talk to coaches
when you're being recruited, do they start talking to you about,
you know, your tape and what you've been doing.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Yeah, I mean I think your your tape is your resume.
That's where the coaches can truly see what type of
player you are. You know, obviously in high school you
got to go through the camp circuit and work out
in front of these coaches. But yeah, having a good
especially your junior year, having a good junior year tape,
I think is what was like, what is essential to
get recruited.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Your first experiences with Jim Moore when you met him
and talked to him about perhaps coming to Yukon.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Uh, tell me, tell me about that.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
First impressions they make them They make a difference, don't they.
Speaker 4 (01:46):
Yeah, I'd tell you first impression of coach Mora is that,
you know, he's a guy that definitely knows what he's doing.
He was very confident in himself and his staff that
he was bringing in. And I mean he's done a
great job here. Since I've been here, I've kind of
been able to witness the rise of Yukon football. You know,
they had a good first year before I got here,
(02:09):
but even from my first year to now, just everything
throughout the organization has just been stepped up all around.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
So I think it's done. Great job.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Jackson Harper with us on the Yukon Football Coaches Show.
How when you say stepped up, how does that manifest
itself in your everyday workouts and being a Yukon football player.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
I think it has an impact on the players a lot,
just to just see you know, the staff being upgraded,
to see all the coaches stepping up around you.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
It just elevates the whole program and.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Makes everyone perform at a higher level in a back aspects,
you know, no matter what their job is, whether like
the training room or the assistant coaches, all.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
The way up to the head coach and then all
the way to the players.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Yeah, it does start from the top. It matters what
everyone else is doing.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Is well, let's talk about Avon Old Farms from the
Founders League over there in Avon, you were there for
I think two years is that correct?
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Four years?
Speaker 1 (03:08):
All? Four?
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Okay, So that's a great preparation for college. I think
let's start with the education part, because I mean they're
serious over there the way they take their education, aren't they.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
I mean AOF is a great school. All around athletics
and academics. I got nothing but good, good things to
say about everybody at Avon Old Farms.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
It's a great place.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
The Founders League championship was kind of elusive for Avon
Old Farms until this past weekend when they finally wonted
under head coach John Hooley, a former Husky himself. And
I understand is what the guys told me over there
that you set a little tape to the players. What
did you have to say to them before the game?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Yeah, A bunch of the alumni we just thought, like,
send a video just wishing them good luck.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
That we've been.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Following them all year long and see we've been seeing
all the success they've been having. And so just a
bunch of alumni. One of the assistant coaches put together
a video of just all of us wishing good luck
to the guys for the game.
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Obviously that helped, I think, right, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
I mean, I hope it helped.
Speaker 4 (04:14):
But coach he definitely has them more prepared than any
team in the country.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Yeah, and it paid off, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Punt punt returning, let's talk about that, because that's not
an easy gig.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
That's a tough job.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
I think you've had eighteen of them this year, and
punt returns are kind of diminished a little bit. With
the good kickers that are around on the college level,
they know how to kick it high and on angles.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
But you're not eighteen chances.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
I think, to me, the toughest decision and you can,
you can correct me if I'm wrong here is deciding
which ones you're gonna field, which ones are going to
let drop, and which ones are gonna fair catch.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Yeah, and that's just it really takes reps in time.
You know, earlier in the year, I was catching some
that I should have been fair catching. But you know,
as the years progressed, I've just felt more and more
comfortable back there each week, and I just try to
do the best I can with the opportunity I have
(05:13):
to have an impact on the game.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Yeah, experience matters there for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
You've had a twenty one yard return against Central, twenty
five yards against ball State, nineteen against Rice, and that
thirty seven yard against UiB that was kind of like
a Kamakazi if I remember right, because it was a
low angle kick. If I remember, is that the one
that you were able to pick it up and get
down the sideline and turn it into big yardage.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
I mean whenever the punter kicks like a line drive
and it's not hanging up there in the air, it
sets you up to have a chance at a return.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
So those are the punts you're looking for.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
But yeah, when they kick it, when it's a good
punter and he knows how to kick it high in
the air give the coverage team time to get down there,
that usually makes it tough. But I've had a good,
good amount of chances that returns. Yeah, kers have done
a great job looking for me.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Yeah, it's paid off, no quite, But field position matters
in these games.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
CON's been in a bunch of.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Close ones quickly on TJ Sheffield, he was last year's
punt returner primarily, but kind of understudying a guy like that,
what did you learn and when did it start to
kind of be absorbed when you got on the field
this year.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Yeah, I mean learning from TJ was great. I mean
he was really good at catching punts. He he sort
of taught me how to track the punts and how
to catch them consistently, and so being able to learn
from him had definitely helped me feel more comfortable heading
into this year for when it was my turn.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
And yeah, you know, I'm.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Grateful to I've been able to play with the player
like him, to learn from them.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Finally you go from kind of a Chili day, New
England day, last weekends air Force.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Now you go south in Florida.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
What is the difference in climate for you as a returner.
Someone's got to handle the ball. It's kicked thirty forty
yards in the year. Is there is there any difference
at all?
Speaker 4 (07:07):
The weather is huge for returning punts, and thankfully we've
been We've been pretty lucky with weather this year. We
haven't dealt with any rain. A little rain at Rice,
but we haven't dealt with any rain. It's really rain
and wind and the cold are the hardest things on punts.
But we haven't had any windy days. So being down south,
(07:28):
I mean, it should be good conditions. But yeah, the
weather definitely has a big impact on catching punts.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
And how important is winning this last game.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
It's very important. You know, we're trying to get ten
wins and so we need to get nine wins to
get ten. So we're just focusing on this game.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
All right, Jackson appreciate it. I like the math.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
By the way, if you don't get nine, you can't
get ten. I should have thought of that myself. Yeah,
as Jackson Harper, as we wrap it up, you got
football Coaches shows. Thanks to Jim Moore, umar To Yamande
and Jackson Harper. The Huskies get after it at Florida
and Atlantic this weekend.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Be sure to tune it in. Thanks for joining us.
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