Alma QB Jackson Daily living up to family’s University of Arkansas football legacy
Alma quarterback Jackson Daily has a legacy to live up to, but he calls it an honor and embraces the challenge.
The 6-foot-2, 217-pound senior has long heard about the football exploits of his grandfather, dad and uncle – all three former Arkansas Razorbacks.
“It’s definitely been a blessing, for sure,” Daily said of his family heritage. “There are obviously expectations to live up to, but I take that as a challenge and enjoy it.”
His grandfather, Marvin, who passed away in 2021, was a standout at Alma, then went on to play linebacker for Arkansas head coach Frank Broyles, from 1972-75. He played fullback for the Airedales, earning the nickname, “Freight Train,” for his aggressive running style.
“I’ve always heard lots of stories about him, and he’s been kind of a legend in our home town,” said the younger Daily, who is currently one touchdown shy of breaking his grandfather’s long-standing school-record of 22 rushing touchdowns in a season. “That would be special for me.”
Alma quarterback Jackson Daily is a third-generation star. (Photo by George Mitchell)
He will have at least one more game to reach the record, as the Airedales travel to Little Rock on Friday to face defending state champion Parkview in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs.
The football lineage doesn’t stop there, as Daily’s father, Adam, also played linebacker at Alma, then fullback for Houston Nutt’s Hogs from 1999-2000. His uncle, Lee, was also an all-state linebacker at Alma.
“I’ve always wanted to follow in the footsteps of my dad, and live up to the legacy that he set,” Jackson added. “So, being around him every day just makes it that much more special.”
His uncle, Clark Moore, shined at Van Buren, before playing linebacker at Arkansas, from 2002-05. Moore has now been training his nephew the past few off-seasons.
“He’s really helped me a lot of with the athletic, physical-training side of things,” Jackson said. “He has really pushed me to be a better player.”
The younger Daily began playing quarterback in the seventh grade, but spent last season as Alma’s tight end, becoming a solid target for former Airedale quarterback Joe Trusty. Daily finished his junior season with 28 catches for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns, as well as 8 pancake blocks on the line.
Once Trusty graduated, Daily was called upon to take over the reins under center, where he quickly became one of the biggest offensive threats in the 5A-West conference. He relies on his aggressive style of play, along with his 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash.
Daily has led Alma to a remarkable 7-3 overall record, thus far. The Airedales handed champion 5A-West Conference champion Farmington its only conference loss this season.
“It’s been an awesome experience, so far – my last year playing with the guys that I have been playing with since third grade,” Daily said. “And I’ve played quarterback my whole life, so it was nothing new for me to switch, but it just took a little bit to get back into it.
“We’ve made a lot of strides with this football program since I got here, so I feel really proud about what we have been able to accomplish and done for the community.”
Daily has racked up 2,293 totals yards this season – passing for 1,250 and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,101 and 21 TDs.
“Jackson is the ultimate team guy,” Alma head coach Rusty Bush said. “He has always done whatever the team has asked of him. He’s played quarterback, tight end, a little D-line and some linebacker. He just wants to play the game for this program.
“Jackson understands the expectations and standards of Alma football. He has worked his tail off to make sure he does his part to make this football team a contender. He dedicated himself to offseason and the weight room and has really changed his body, and it’s made him an even better football player.”
Spending a season at tight end has helped Daily perform as a quarterback this season, offering a unique perspective in the passing game.
“It helps me see things from the receivers’ point of view,” he explained. “Like what the best angles are to throw to them and when I need to throw it to them. It just gives me a different perspective. Me and my receivers just put in a lot of work in the offseason, and I put in a lot of work learning the playbook from a quarterback’s perspective.”
Daily would relish an opportunity to continue his family legacy, playing for the Razorbacks -- if the opportunity arises. At this point, he has received a Preferred Walk-On invitation from Missouri head coach -- and Alma alum -- Eli Drinkwitz. He has a pair of full-ride offers from Arkansas Tech and Missouri Southern. He also has interest in Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist.
Although he now plays quarterback, Daily’s dad sees him more as a linebacker at the next level.
“I’m not sure he has a Division-I arm, but’s he’s got Division-I legs and a body,” Adam Daily said. “When he went to the camp at Missouri, I told Eli he was going to work as a linebacker. He did, and before he left the camp, they had locked him into a Preferred Walk-On spot. I wasn’t really surprised, because I always thought he could be a stud linebacker if he got the opportunity.”
Jackson Daily and Alma play Class 5A defending state champion Little Rock Parkview in an opening-round playoff game Thursday night at Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium. (Photo by George Mitchell)
Dad still laughs when he thinks about young Jackson learning to walk, 16 years ago.
“I can remember when he was really young, he could barely even walk, and his hands were just enormous,” Dad said. “I think he could pick up a can of green beans before he could even walk. I just remember how strong his hands were and I thought, that kid may end up being a quarterback, some day. And I did not want to have a quarterback as a son. I’ve been around them. They are a nervous wreck. I always told him to go play linebacker.
“When he started playing in the seventh grade, he wanted to be quarterback, and he’s loved it ever since. But now he’s wanting play a little linebacker.”
Wherever and whatever Jackson ends up playing after this season, the qualities he will add to any program with be invaluable.
“He’s dang sure an athlete and I really like the fact that he is super coachable -- he’s not ornery like I was,” Adam said with a laugh. “He gets along with everybody and all those boys just love him.”
Jackson is the oldest of five Daily children. His younger brother, Easton, has been a standout baseball player in Alma, but decided to give football a shot this year, embracing an opportunity to play a season with his brother. Now, the 6-foot-4, 280-pound sophomore is the Airedales’ left tackle, protecting his brother’s blind side.
“I think that is why Easton decided to play this year, is he wanted to be a part of Jackson’s senior year,” Adam said. “They are a really good brother]s. It’s a good relationship and they get along great together.
“Now, he’s protecting his brother’s backside, so if he misses a block, he gets chewed out.”
