It’s not as though Hunter Jackson put down permanent roots in Arkadelphia. It only seems that way.

Ouachita Baptist’s sixth-year left guard has been on the OBU campus, for over half a decade.

Six years later, the graduate student has already earned an undergrad degree, is finishing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and he actually coached one of his current teammates (Landon Kuhn) while serving as a student coach at Arkadelphia two years ago.

“It makes me feel really old that I assisted in coaching him, and now he’s one of my teammates,” Jackson said.

He has made the most of his time at Ouachita Baptist.

“I red-shirted my freshman year, played for two years, and then we had covid,” he said. “We have another guy on the line [Payton Stafford] who is also a sixth-year guy. We’re probably the longest-tenured players ever.”

The nationally ranked Tigers (7-0) were scheduled to travel to El Dorado on Saturday to face Southern Arkansas in the Murphy USA Classic.

Ouachita Baptist is currently ranked No. 3 in the D2Football.com Top 25 Poll behind Grand Valley and Angelo State. And, while the accolades are nice, Jackson and his senior-oriented offensive line mates, have their sights on a bigger picture.

“We’re very self-aware about our potential, but potential goes nowhere without hard work,” Jackson said. “It’s been a lot of fun. Me and Stafford, this is our sixth year, and [tackle] Anthony Chairez, this is his fifth year. Our center [former Conway star Nathan Turner], is in his fifth year. He just married his high school sweetheart [Madison]. We have a lot of good camaraderie with this group.”

Former Alma standout Zac Henson rounds out the Tigers’ offensive line.

Jackson said quarterback Riley Harmes — a Fremont, Neb., native who transferred to OBU from Nebraska-Kearney — has been a great leader.

Jackson was a standout on the field and in the classroom at Ozark High School. He also earned his Eagle Scout status, something he carries over to the football field.

“To me, I believe it does,” he said. “There are so many things you learn in life lessons — discipline, responsibility and accountability. Plus, these are memories you can have forever.”

Things were going well for Jackson until the covid-19 shutdown in March 2020, which turned out to be both a blessing and a curse.

Most Division II schools canceled their 2020 seasons.

“It was very strange for everyone,” Jackson said. “We just lost that season altogether. There was a period of time when you didn’t…