Witt looks beyond gridiron in future
Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.
Russellville High School student Jackson Witt, 17, will soon be donning a cap and gown and will walk across the football field he spent many hours on with his fellow members of the Class of 2011.
While in high school, Jackson was an anchor on the RHS football team’s defensive line. He was ranked eighth on the team in tackles, tied for the lead in fumble recoveries and was a sack leader.
With stats like these, it’s easy to see why schools like the University of North Alabama and Cumberland University in Tennessee have already offered the soon-to-be grad football scholarships.
For Witt, football is in his blood. His dad, Billy Witt, is a Hall of Fame inductee at the University of North Alabama for his days spent playing defensive end. He also played for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League.
“It would definitely be cool to play football at UNA where my dad played,” Witt said. “But I also know that there are other factors I have to consider.”
The reason Witt isn’t making a hasty decision about college is because football is not the only area he has excelled during his high school career. Witt has also been offered several academic scholarships that he will have to consider as well.
“Right now I’m undecided. I’m weighing all my options and trying to make sure I make the best decision for me,” Witt said.
“I love football. I love everything about it. But I also know that whatever college I decide to go to will have to have a good academic program and be able to offer classes that will go with my major.”
Witt has decided to pursue a degree in pharmacy, a field he learned more about through job shadowing.
“I was able to job shadow with Jody Kiel and Greg Lane here in Russellville,” Witt said. “I really enjoyed it and its something I can see myself doing in the future.”
In 10 years, Witt hopes to have a good job, be married, and be looking at starting a family.
“I also think I’ll be living close to the area,” he said. “I don’t want to be real far from my family.”
Witt hopes that he will accomplish a few goals in his future as well.
“I have already been to several states, but I eventually want to visit all 50 states,” he said. “I want to hike the Appalachian Trail, and I want to ride my mountain bike in Whistler, British Columbia.”
Witt said riding his mountain bike is one of his favorite pastimes and is something he thinks he’ll continue to enjoy down the road. He also enjoys fly-fishing when he gets the chance.
Witt said there are many things he will miss once he graduates in May.
“I will miss seeing my friends and all our everyday things that we just laugh about,” he said. “I’ll miss big events and things like that, but the time we all spend just hanging out will be what I miss the most.”
“I’m already missing football,” he continued. “When you do something for that long, you just learn to love it. I was fortunate to get to start my junior and senior years and I’ll miss playing the game.”
But if Witt decides to choose one of the football scholarships he has been offered, he won’t be missing football for long.
“If I decide to pursue football in college, I’d start practicing and training this summer,” Witt said. “But if I don’t, I plan to spend the summer having fun with my family and my friends, and I’m hoping to have a job, too.”
Witt is the son of Billy and Lisa Witt and he has one brother, Lucas. He is the grandson of Charles and Mary Jackson and Shelia and the late Bill Witt, all of Russellville.
