USC’s Adoree’ Jackson To Skip Spring Practices To Prepare For Rio Olympics

USC Trojans coach Clay Helton announced on Sunday that sophomore cornerback Adoree’ Jackson will be exempt from spring practice so that he may focus on qualifying for the Summer 2016 Rio Olympics in the long jump.

Adoree’ Jackson Preps For Rio Olympics

Jackson previously won the Pac-12 Conference long-jump title with a mark of 25 feet, 3 inches as a freshman despite only being a part-time member of USC’s track and field team. He also finished fifth at the NCAA championships after leaping 25-11.

Jackson’s dream is to win an NCAA title and then qualify for the Rio Olympics in August. “If it was up to me — where my heart is — I would want to go out there,” Jackson told the Los Angeles Times about forgoing spring football practice for track. “I’ll just see what’s best overall for me and for the team.”

When Helton recruited Jackson, he promised Jackson the opportunity to focus on track during the spring, and Helton plans to keep that promise.

The 5-11 Jackson will need to improve his record by approximately six inches in order to meet the minimum qualifying standard of 26 feet, 5 inches for the 2016 Olympic trials in July. He’ll also need to qualify in the top three at the trials to make Team USA.

This season, Jackson had 31 tackles and an interception for a touchdown on defense, while totaling four TDs on offense and special teams.

Jackson will begin his training for Rio and the long jump following the Trojans’ final game of the season against the Wisconsin Badgers (No. 23) in the Holiday Bowl  in San Diego on December 30.

PHOTO: LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 07: Adoree’ Jackson #2 of the USC Trojans runs after his catch for a first down during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Los Angeles Coliseum on November 7, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)