Cal Running Back Transfers to Moorpark College

Langston Jackson, a top running back who has spent the past three football seasons at Cal but did not play while retaining his eligibility, has joined the team at Moorpark College.

“He’s in good shape, and he’s ready to go. He is one heck of a football player,” Moorpark coach Jim Bittner said. “We had a meeting here with his mother, and I guess it just didn’t work out at Cal.”

Jackson, 21, prepped at Simi Valley High, where he twice earned All-Marmonte League honors and eventually climbed to No. 89 in the nation among high school running backs. As a senior, he rushed for 1,225 yards and 16 touchdowns on 230 carries, and as a junior he rushed for 988 yards and 10 touchdowns. Overall, he also totaled 32 receptions in two years while averaging 33.7 yards as punter in his senior season.

Jackson is 6-foot-1 and 238 pounds. His brother, Lorne, is a top college basketball player at Pepperdine University. Jackson’s presence gives Moorpark two top running backs, as he’ll join Larry Looney in the backfield. Looney played at Moorpark five years ago, earning all-conference honors, and he has returned.

Meanwhile, Bittner continues to be impressed by quarterback Nick Owens, a former Westlake High standout who has transferred in from Pasadena City College.

“He looks pretty good,” Bittner said.

As for who will block for Owens and the running backs, Moorpark is still trying to fit in the pieces on the offensive line, a situation compounded by some eligibility and paperwork issues.

“We’re hoping to get it all sorted out soon,” Bittner said.