After a major offseason surgery, FAMU baseball's 'glue' Ty Jackson hasn't missed a beat

All successful teams need a tone-setting leader.

Since last season, Ty Jackson has filled that role for Florida A&M baseball.

But there are times when the leader has to be picked up and dusted off when times are bleak.

Before the 2024 season, Jackson underwent tightrope surgery to repair a broken and dislocated ankle that sidelined the leadoff hitter and centerfielder from fall training and the Rattlers’ opening day.

Now, almost fully healed and galvanizing the Southwestern Athletic Conference East division leaders FAMU, Jackson has contributed 43 hits, 34 runs, and six home runs, all near the top of the Rattlers’ statistical leaderboard.

Jackson credits plenty of support for keeping him upbeat during the recovery process.

“My whole ankle was snapped in half. Both bones at the bottom. And they had to put in a plate with eight screws,” Jackson said, detailing the tightrope surgery.

"It was so draining. But I stuck with God through it the whole time. My family, friends, teammates, and fiancée were by me. Coach Shouppe was super, super supportive. Without this supporting cast, it’ll still be bothering me today.

“It’s truly a blessing to come out here and finish my senior season.”

FAMU head baseball coach Jamey Shouppe says Jackson is one of his favorite players he’s ever coached.

That’s huge props for Jackson, considering that Shouppe’s coaching career dates back to 1990 at Florida State.

One would be wrong if they thought Shouppe’s appreciation for Jackson couldn’t grow.

All Jackson’s commitment to FAMU baseball while rehabbing his ankle did was increase the respect that the Shouppe already had for the senior player.

“Never missed a day during his injury,” Shouppe said. “Rehabbed hard but was slow getting back simply because it takes time with a tightrope surgery. He’s not hampered by it, but I can tell it’s sometimes in the back of his mind.

“But he never lets injury or anything else get him down.”

Ty Jackson sets the energy for FAMU baseball on and off the diamond

Jackson is the Rattlers’ leadoff hitter and the person whose energy his teammates respond to.

However, he embraces those tasks.

Part of this is due to Jackson’s upbringing in Jacksonville, where his parents instilled leadership values and qualities at an early age.

Those lessons helped him assist the Rattlers to the program’s first-ever SWAC Championship last May.

“My parents and coaches have taught me how to be a leader. Coach Shouppe has taught me how to be a leader,” Jackson said. “Sometimes, I’m not the best or worst leader, but I know guys like Jalen Niles, True Fontenot, and Adam Haidermota will pick me up to help me lead them.

“It’s truly a blessing to be a leader here, and hopefully, I can lead us to another good tournament.”

Shouppe says Jackson unionizes his FAMU baseball team.

Through his colorful hairstyles, explosive play, and hyped personality, Jackson keeps the Rattlers’ temperature moderate and intact.

“Ty Jackson’s our glue,” Shouppe said.

“If Ty goes, we go. He’s been everything I’ve hoped he would be, and more because of the enthusiasm he brings every day. That guy doesn’t take a day off mentally.

“And that’s contagious.”

From JUCO to the Highest of Seven Hills: Ty Jackson is a FAMU graduate

Jackson handles business on the baseball diamond and in the classroom.

He’ll be one of nine FAMU baseball players receiving bachelor’s degrees this weekend.

Jackson will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Starting his higher education at East Georgia State College, Jackson faced adversity while pursuing his degree. He raised his grade point average from 1.9 to graduating from the top public HBCU and top 100 college FAMU with a 3.8.

“It’s truly a blessing,” Jackson said of becoming a FAMU grad. “Criminal justice was challenging, but I think it’s going to be a degree that I follow up with in the future.”

However, Jackson won’t be walking in FAMU’s graduation.

He’ll be busy trying to knock off the in-state rivals Bethune-Cookman in a crucial three-game series at Moore-Kittles Field this weekend in a SWAC Championship rematch. With three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Rattlers (22-21, 17-4 SWAC) lead the Wildcats (25-20, 15-6 SWAC) by two games in the SWAC East standings.

The Rattlers have won six of seven SWAC series this season. The one loss was in tightly contested meetings with the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats last March.

“It’s no biggie,” Jackson said of skipping graduation. “We’re going to come out here, play the game we love, have fun, and hopefully beat Bethune.”

Florida A&M Rattlers Baseball

This Weekend's FAMU Baseball Graduates

• John Garner ― Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

• Andrew Ginther ― Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies

• Adam Haidermota ― Bachelor of Science, Political Science

• Ty Jackson ― Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice

• Argene Lynn ― Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

• Joshua Scragg ― Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies

• Logan Sharpton ― Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Studies

• Raylan Wagner ― Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

• Xerian Ximinies ― Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice

FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman SWAC Baseball Series Schedule

• Friday, May 3: at 5 p.m.

• Saturday, May 4: at 2 p.m.

• Sunday, May 5: at 1 p.m.

All games will be played on Moore-Kittles Field on FAMU's campus.

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Baseball: Leadoff hitter Ty Jackson playing well after surgery