Jalen Watts-Jackson to join U.S. Air Force, forego final year of eligibility

Jalen Watts-Jackson is a Michigan State legend who will live in Michigan State Spartans lore forever thanks to his heroic touchdown off of a botched punt against Michigan in 2015, which gave MSU the improbable win.

Fast forward to 2018 and Watts-Jackson is joining the Air Force — not to suit up for the Falcons, but to serve his country. Watts-Jackson announced in March that he would be leaving the MSU program to seek a graduate transfer, but he has decided to forego his final year of NCAA eligibility to join the military instead.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Watts-Jackson, who broke his hip on that miraculous play, said that the decision “wasn’t easy,” but he has “no regrets,” about leaving Michigan State and joining the Air Force.

Watts-Jackson will never forget that play, though, and how could he? It was one of the crazier finishes in college football history and is a play Michigan State fans will remember forever:

“It’s a lifelong memory, for sure,” Watts-Jackson said. “Sometimes, it’s hard to comprehend what happened. When I get older, I think it will really settle in. It was a great experience.”

If Watts-Jackson was to stick to football for one final season, he mentioned that he actually would have played Division II ball with Minnesota State. The school was heavily interested in the defensive back and great special-teamer.

We will never forget you, Jalen. Thank you for deciding to serve our country.

One more time for old times’ sake. This will never get old: