FRESNO – Fresno State linebacker Jadon Pearson has travelled a long and winding road to finally find a place that feels like home. After stops at four different colleges, the former Reedley College standout has finally made himself comfortable with the Bulldogs.
Pearson, a 6-foot, 1-inch, 220 pound linebacker from Gilbert, Ariz., traversed the NCAA’s Transfer Portal, looking for a place to fit in, to make an impact. Having started out attending the Air Force Academy in 2020, Pearson eventually found his way to Reedley College, where he hit the reset button with hopes of proving his talent.
“I was able to honestly reevaluate what I wanted most in life,” said Pearson. “But once I hit that step in my life and I was starting to become a young man, I decided to make decisions for myself on what I really wanted most in life.”
Pearson appeared in 11 games for the Tigers in 2021, flashing signs of defensive brilliance that made him a three-star prospect coming out of high school. Pearson recorded 74 tackles, including 9 for a loss, to go along with four pass breakups and three interceptions.
“I think going to Reedley College was one of the greatest things in my life,” said Pearson. “I went there with a really open mind, had a great coach, had fantastic teammates that I still talk to to this day.”
After one season with the Tigers, Pearson headed over to the University of Utah in 2022. After 13 games with the Utes, Pearson once again hit the road, but stayed in-state, transferring to Utah State for the 2023 season. Pearson wound up as a redshirt that season, appearing in only three games.
Feeling like he was running out of options, Pearson decided to return to the Central Valley, this time, knocking on Fresno State’s door. When the Bulldogs opened the door, Pearson was welcomed in with open arms.
“Once I transferred from Utah, I told myself I was not going to transfer again. Whatever happens, happens,” said Pearson. “And I knew that if I wanted to go to another program, that it was going to be a program that I knew had a lot of pride and tradition.”
Pearson has high hopes of playing a prominent role in the Bulldogs’ defense this season. With tremendous quickness from sideline to sideline, and good field awareness, this former, traveling Tiger feels now is his time to stand out in a crowded defense.
“I’m gonna play that boundary side linebacker, and will align to different formations in certain ways, but overall, they just want me to play fast,” said Pearson. “Just do what they brought me here to do.”
With no more roads to travel for the foreseeable future, Pearson has his sights set on finally just being a football player. And while his long term destination is still unknown, his journey is far from over.
“I’m kind of going back to how I was thinking at Reedley, like ‘hey, if I buy into this team, then the accolades will come towards the end of the season’,” said Pearson. “So, I’m following that same blueprint, week to week. Just do my job the best I can.”
