At Gridiron Football’s first camp this offseason, which took place at Lamar Dixon Expo Center in early March, it was a 5’9, 165 pound all-purpose running back from nearby East Ascension High School named Jason Blackburn Jr. that stole the show and blew everybody away with a 4.44/40 time.
“It was fun. When I first got there, I saw the guys out there and I thought that today, we were just going to compete. I got to compete in everything, but with the 40 yard dash, that’s what blew everybody and even me. I just got out fast, put my head down, and when I finished, all I heard was that you just ran a 4.44. Everybody went crazy, but it didn’t really hit me until afterwards. The NFL combine was actually right after the camp and I was seeing guys run even slower than me. 4.44 is really fast.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
As Blackburn said, running a 4.4/40 not only surprised everybody else, but it even surprised him as this was a goal he was trying to shoot for heading into the offseason.
“The last time I ran the 40, it was a year ago and I ran a 4.5. I knew my 40 was going to be fast, but I didn’t think it was going to be that fast.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
Blackburn came to the camp with the goal in mind to earn an invite to the 2025 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game, and that dream became a reality after his time.
“I just wanted to get warmed up for camp season, and just getting back to the feel of it. Once I got in there, I knew that I had to get to this bowl game. That became a goal and after the 40 yard dash, I was ready. It was a great experience. I just couldn’t help, but thank the Lord. When we were sitting down and y’all were calling the names up, my heart dropped and after seeing y’all post about it saying that I was one of the first seven to get picked and invited for the bowl game, it was a great feeling.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
Although it was a great surprise to see a 4.4/40 at the camp, Jason Blackburn Jr. certainly did not come out of nowhere. Playing for the Spartans and even starting for them since his sophomore year, Blackburn has been one of the most dynamic playmakers in the Baton Rouge area.
This past season, playing in one of the toughest districts in South Louisiana, Blackburn was a 1st Team All-District running back, a 1st Team All-District kick returner, a 1st Team All-Parish running back, a 1st Team All-Parish kick returner, and finally, an Honorable Mention All-State selection.
On the smaller end of things as a running back, Blackburn uses his speed to outrun defenders in the open field and he consistently works on it by participating in track and field.
“I run track so it keeps me running all year, but I stretch a lot, and the coaches do a good job of hip mobility. Speed is not about just running. It’s all about your stride and track has really helped me with that.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
Despite having the ability to break one loose on any given play, do not let that distract you that Blackburn is not all about speed and finesse as a runner.
“It’s not just speed. I can do anything on the football field. If I have to drop my hat with you, I will drop it. If I break that second level, I am gone and that’s where that track meet speed is going to show.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
He also takes a little bit from other NFL running backs to help model his game.
“I like taking a few things from a few different people that I like. One of my favorites is Isaiah Pacheco in just the way he runs and the power. Once he hits it, he is hitting it hard. He’s not that big, either, and also, Jahmyr Gibbs from the Lions because of his speed. Take his speed and Pacheco’s power all in one package, right. Get the speed and get the power.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
Blackburn obviously has the ability to make plays, but he makes it a point to be an unselfish teammate and thank the guys that make it all happen.
“I told my linemen that if you take care of me, I will take care of you. The first and second game, I had over 100 yards rushing so I bought the whole team pizza. The whole offense like receivers because the receivers do a good job blocking, too, so I bought all of them pizza. After the season, once I got the district and all the state rewards, I called them in to start in six line, and I brought all of them these chains.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
The chains read, “No Line, No Shine” and Blackburn hopes that his line gets plenty of shine this upcoming year.
“I want 1,200 all-purpose yards, so that’s receiving, rushing, and kickoff return, and I want 12 to 15 touchdowns this year. For the team, I want to go to the Dome, we got to win state this year. You have to. I mean, you got to. I mean, go to the Superdome, for sure. That’s definitely a goal.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
With a 3.8 GPA, Jason Blackburn Jr. also has the grades to go along with his ability on the football field to play college football.
“Besides the athlete, the main thing is as much work as I put into football and track, school is the number one priority. Like grades, I’m more into books than anything. Really, because without that, I mean I could run a 4.3, but if I got a 1.5, I’m not going anywhere. I’m just going to be back here. I was a 4.3 guy, but I’m not doing anything.”
“Also, I keep myself busy. I play basketball from time to time, but I work out a lot, though, really, it’s just work out, because with football and track, those two sports, it’s year-round. After football season, you’ve got track, and after track, you’re right back into spring football so just staying in shape, really staying in shape, and keeping my grades good.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
Although he has not received any official offers yet, he is starting to receive some attention from universities.
“You know, I’ve been getting a lot of mail and stuff like that, invites to different camps, and then I’ve talked to UL, and I’ve talked to a coach at Houston also, but like a few coaches, whenever a coach comes in, Coach Brock gives them my name, anytime.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
Setting the tone on the field, off the field, and rewarding his teammates, Jason Blackburn Jr. possesses the leadership qualities that colleges are looking for.
“I’m a leader, like I said, on and off the field, I get the job done. I can play whatever, I can do whatever you need me to do.”
East Ascension High School RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
Sign up to our next camp, which is going to be on Saturday, April 12th at Westwood High School in Palestine, Texas.
This is what Jason Blackburn Jr. had to say about why players should go to a Gridiron Football Elite Camp.
“First off, it’s nothing like it. You’re gonna compete, but it’s gonna be fun. When we got called up, we got the rings from last year, so it’s not like you’re just coming to a camp and going home. You can come and earn your spot to the Gridiron Football Bowl game and come play with people like me, and then hopefully on my team, you’re gonna get the dub and get you a ring.”
East Ascension RB Jason Blackburn Jr.
