TU's WR Jason English Aims for Another Perfect Season

Tuskegee wide receiver Jason English aiming for another undefeated football season, SIAA and national championships - al.com Tuskegee wide receiver Jason English aiming for another undefeated football season, SIAA and national championships Wednesday, September 10, 2008 By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR Sports Reporter Jason English has always believed in the theory that hard work will eventually pay off. Despite offers from colleges such as Southern Mississippi, Central Florida and North Alabama, the Murphy High School graduate decided to go with his gut and accept a scholarship from Tuskegee University. Now a senior for the Golden Tigers, English (6-1, 195) is the go-to man on the wide receivers corps and he has his sights set high during the 2008 season — a perfect 12-0 season, a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and another Historically Black Colleges and Universities championship ring. After signing under then-head coach Rick Comegy, English has spent the past two years under the guidance of head coach Willie Slater, improving his strength and speed. "I was shocked at first when I heard about coach Comegy taking the job at Jackson State, but after I thought about it, I realized it was a business decision and in business you have to do what's best for you and your family," English said. "After coach Slater and his staff got here, they told me what I needed to do if I wanted to be the No. 1 receiver. "I took everything they said to heart and decided to stay in Tuskegee during the summer going into my junior season and work on getting stronger and faster. Jacary Atkinson and I were roommates during that summer and we worked out every day, lifting and running drills to improve our game, and it did." Atkinson, the team's starting quarterback, was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association small college athlete of the year after setting a school record of 2,979 passing yards and tying a school mark of 34 touchdowns in 2007. English's hard work paid off as he was on the receiving end of 39 passes from Atkinson for 993 total yards and 14 touchdowns in 2007. In Tuskegee's 34-0 victory over Miles College last week, English caught three passes for 48 yards and a TD. Tuskegee posted a 12-0 record last season, averaging 46.8 points, 237.3 rushing yards and 257.9 passing yards per game, making its offense among the best in NCAA Division II. © 2008 al.com All Rights Reserved.