FIU tight end Jackson Verdugo: A young dad and possibly a young phenom, too

FIU freshman tight end Jackson Verdugo – who at age 18 is already married and has two children – is ahead of schedule in more ways than one.

For example, on October 14, Verdugo scored his first collegiate touchdown, catching an eight-yard pass in a victory over Western Kentucky.

“It was a great feeling, and I’m glad my parents (Kevin and Jen) were there to see that.

“The (WKU) linebacker manned up on me, and I knew he wasn’t going to (be able to) guard me. (Quarterback Keyone Jenkins) made a great pass, and I just had to make a catch through contact.”

This past Tuesday, Verdugo made his first start, catching one pass for 21 yards as FIU (3-4, 1-2) lost to Kennesaw State, 45-26.

For the season, Verdugo has eight catches for 81 yards and one touchdown. He is No. 1 among FIU tight ends in the latter two categories.

Clearly, Verdugo has earned the trust of FIU coach Willie Simmons.

“From the moment he stepped on campus, you wouldn’t know he’s just 18 -- and not just because he’s got kids, and he’s married now,” Simmons said. “It’s because how smart he is and how much he knows about football.

“When I first saw his high school tape, I said, ‘We need that young man on campus.’ Jackson is wise beyond his years, and he’s not playing like a freshman at all.”

Verdugo, listed at 6-4 and 245 pounds, is a native of College Station, Texas. In fact, he was a starter in 2022 when College Station High made it to the Class 5A state final, losing 52-14 to Aledo.

In addition, Verdugo was a three-time All-State selection, and he broke the College Station High career records for games played (58) and receiving yards (1,981).

His father, Kevin, was a quarterback at Colorado State University, leading the Rams in passing yards in his final two seasons. He was coached at Colorado State by College Football Hall of Famer Earl Bruce. Urban Meyer, who went on to win three national titles as a head coach, was also on that staff, directing the wide receivers.

Trying to emulate his father, Jackson Verdugo said he played quarterback in middle school, but it didn’t work out. “I don’t have the arm like he does,” Verdugo said.

Kevin, though, said his son shouldn’t worry about his lack of throwing skill.

“Jackson is a lot better athlete than I ever was,” Kevin said. “And he runs better, too.”

Indeed, Jackson was mostly a wide receiver in high school, breaking out as a sophomore with 57 catches for 918 yards, a 16.1 average and seven touchdowns in 16 games on that 2022 team that went 13-3.

Early in his senior year – on Sept. 9 – Verdugo committed to the Charlotte 49ers. However, two months later, the 49ers fired coach Biff Poggi, and Verdugo re-opened his recruitment.

In the meantime, FIU dismissed coach Mike MacIntyre and hired Simmons, who decided to retain Jovan Dewitt as defensive coordinator. Once that happened, Dewitt let Simmons know that Kevin Verdugo was one of his best friends, and that his son (Jackson) could be an asset for FIU.

Kevin Verdugo, who now owns an insurance agency in College Station, was a football coach for 20 years, and that’s how he met Dewitt.

“I coached him at Northern Michigan, and he was a graduate assistant for us,” Kevin said. “I also hired him at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas as our running backs coach.

“Jovan does a great job coaching, and he also cares about kids. His wife and my wife are good friends.”

Simmons, after watching Jackson’s tape, quickly invited him and his father to visit FIU.

“We were on a plane to Miami the next week,” Kevin said. “It’s a great campus. The facilities fit where the program is, and we loved Coach Simmons’ vision for the program.”

Verdugo, who graduated from high school early, signed with FIU on Jan. 8 and enrolled a week later. He took part in FIU’s spring drills, and he then married his high school sweetheart, Reese, on May 1. Reese, 19, was a cheerleader at College Station High.

These days, Jackson, Reese and their two sons – Blake, 2, and Walker, five months – live across the street from FIU’s campus.

“It (school, family and football) gets overwhelming,” said Jackson, who was just 16 when his first son was born. “It’s ‘oh my gosh, oh my gosh,’ but it’s my life now, and I just live it day by day.

“My wife helps me. She watches the kids while I go to class. I make good grades, and I’m never late to practice.”

Verdugo, who is majoring in Business Finance, said it helps to have older teammates to guide him such as fellow tight end Dallas Payne, who is in his fifth college season.

“Dallas has a young daughter,” Verdugo said. “We have a lot in common when it comes to football and fatherhood.”

Verdugo also has Dewitt to lean on as needed.

“Jovan and his wife (Lisa) treat Jackson like a son,” Kevin Verdugo said. “They provide a great support system.”

This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 9:32 AM.