FAU Owls linebacker Jackson Ambush looks to make a lasting impact in college football in 2024.
Nobody can say that Jackson Ambush was handed an easy road to a college football career. In fact, on his journey from Linganore high school to FAU, Ambush has proven that hard work can lead to opportunity.
Who is Jackson Ambush?
Jackson Ambush went to high school at Linganore in Frederick, Maryland. As a high school player, Ambush played four seasons at linebacker and fullback under coach Rick Conner. As a junior, Ambush was named a Baltimore Touchdown Club (BTC) All-Star. However, it was his senior season where he really took off.
As a senior at Linganore, Ambush tallied 110 tackles and scored 10 touchdowns. He helped his school win a 3A State Championship, and was named All-County and a member of the B1G 33 team – some of the highest accolades in his region. Despite that, Ambush was unranked as a prospect by 247 as he entered college. Part of that may have been due to injury concerns as a junior.
“His junior year [at Linganore], he didn’t get much time because he got hurt,” said coach Conner. “The junior year is huge when you are talking about [recruiting].”
Despite the lack of recruiting, Ambush would find himself playing for the University of Albany in 2019.
University of Albany
Ambush’s collegiate career started off slowly. His redshirt freshman season in 2019 saw him appear in only three games, totaling two tackles. His 2020 season was severely limited due to Covid-19, where UAlbany only played four games on the season. In those four games, Ambush secured 15 tackles and one QB hit. However, 2021 would prove to be his breakout year.
Ambush appeared in all 11 games for the Great Danes in 2021. As a redshirt sophomore, he tallied 97 tackles with one forced fumble. In 2022 he played at a similar pace, recording 83 tackles with one interception and three pass deflections. Despite his impressive showings, the Great Danes would go 5-17 during that span. After graduating from UAlbany and with two years of football eligibility remaining, Ambush took his talents to Florida Atlantic.
Tape‼️ pic.twitter.com/Wy1bxGz08w
— JACKSON AMBUSH (@jacksonambush21) February 6, 2023
Jackson Ambush comes to FAU
Arriving at Florida Atlantic, it’s hard to imagine many fans thinking Ambush would make an impact with the Owls. However, he quickly proved that his performance at UAlbany was no fluke.
Last season, Ambush led the FAU defense with 89 tackles. He earned All-AAC fourth team honors by Phil Steele, and was ranked fifth among AAC tacklers. That type of performance quickly put Ambush on the radar for FAU fans – and opposing defenses.
Now, Ambush enters the 2024 season looking to build on his performance last year.
The 23-year old linebacker has proven to have a nose for finding the ball carrier, and isn’t afraid to make contact. Despite his small school origins, Ambush shows good football IQ, and a high motor.
While it’s a surprise that Ambush wasn’t mentioned among the FAU players mentioned in the Shrine Bowl 1000 watch list, it is likely to just add another chip on the shoulder of a player who continues to put his head down and get to work. FAU fans should expect no different this season, and Ambush’s work ethic should provide a solid foundation to work with.
