Jackson He

Peizhang Jackson He (Chinese: 何佩璋; pinyin: Hé Pèizhāng) is a Chinese former American football running back. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He became the first Chinese-born player to play for a Power Five conference team when he appeared in a game against the UCLA Bruins on December 5, 2020.[2] A week later, against the Arizona Wildcats, he also became the first Chinese-born player to score a touchdown at the FBS level.[3]

Jackson He
No. 32
PositionRunning back
Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1997-05-01) 1 May 1997[1]
Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolLutheran High School of San Diego
(San Diego, California)

Early years

He was born in Shaoguan, China and was sent to the United States, by his parents, at age 17 for a better education.[3] His English name, Jackson He, takes inspiration from Michael Jackson.[3][4] He attended Lutheran High School of San Diego where he learned to play football.[3] Although he unsuccessfully tried for the basketball team at first, he was noticed by Ron Allen, Lutheran's football coach, due to his 250-pound weight. He was unfamiliar with the game at first, but he liked the physical intensity as well as the challenge of a new sport and stayed on the team for two years.[4]

College football career

His college football career began at the University of Jamestown in Jamestown, North Dakota.[4] He was recruited to play fullback at Jamestown and redshirted his first season.[4] In 2017, his redshirt freshman season, He rushed for 376 yards on 80 carries with one touchdown.[4] He also caught 8 passes for 40 yards and one touchdown.[4][5]

He left Jamestown in 2018 and returned to China where he played professionally in the Chinese National Football League with the Foshan Tigers.[4] However, he did not give up his football aspirations and decided to enroll at Arizona State University where he walked onto the football team.[4] Arizona State's coach, Herm Edwards was impressed by his work ethic and viewed him as a valuable asset for the team in regards to depth, who could be a crucial part of the scout team.[4]

He suited up in a 2020 game against UCLA wearing a jersey with his name in Chinese characters.[2] On December 11, 2020, during a 70–7 rout of rival Arizona, He received four handoffs, which he ran for seven yards and a touchdown.[6] With the score, He became the first Chinese-born player to score a touchdown in the FBS.[6]

References
  1. "美国大学橄榄球队为这个中国小伙发文：他是唯一的-中国侨网". www.chinaqw.com. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  2. "China's Jackson He catches the eye for Arizona State University in US college football". South China Morning Post. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  3. "Jackson He Makes History As 1st Chinese-Born Player To Score Touchdown IN FBS History". NPR. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  4. "Made in China: Jackson He's improbable journey to Arizona State". AZ Family. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  5. "Jackson He 2017 Football Roster". University of Jamestown Athletics. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  6. "Arizona State's Jackson He, believed to be only Chinese-born player in FBS, scores 1st TD". ESPN. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
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