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]
| No. 32 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back Fullback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | 1 May 1997[1] Shaoguan, Guangdong, China |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| High school | Lutheran High School of San Diego (San Diego, California) |
| |
Early years
editHe 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
editHis 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
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "China's Jackson He catches the eye for Arizona State University in US college football". South China Morning Post. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Jackson He Makes History As 1st Chinese-Born Player To Score Touchdown IN FBS History". NPR. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Made in China: Jackson He's improbable journey to Arizona State". AZ Family. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Jackson He 2017 Football Roster". University of Jamestown Athletics. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ a b "Arizona State's Jackson He, believed to be only Chinese-born player in FBS, scores 1st TD". ESPN. Retrieved December 20, 2020.