Sparta’s Darius Jackson is officially on his way to Division I football. Today is National Signing Day and just after 9:00 AM Jackson inked a letter of intent to play football for Eastern Michigan. The Sparta Senior said the program will be a good match for his talents.

Outgoing Sparta football coach Edmund Jones took Jackson around to a number of schools, including several in the Big Ten, and the Sparta star almost ended up a Golden Gopher.

Jones says he was blown away by Jackson from the start

Jackson covered a lot of ground for the Bulldogs, behind center, at running back and a celebrated safety. He said he won’t be playing triple duty for the Eagles, though.

For Jackson, originally from Texas, it’ll be a big change heading to Eastern Michigan, but he says he enjoys the place he’ll call home the next few years.

Jackson has excelled on the baseball diamond as well, and played basketball for the Bulldogs, although he took off this season to work on strength and conditioning during the recruitment process.

Eastern Michigan plays in the Mid-American Conference’s Western Division and finished 4-4 in conference play last season, 6-6 overall. This year they will play at Purdue and Michigan State and host the Illinois State Redbirds.