Mt. Pleasant’s Jackson Hutter makes college decision

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, February 2, 2024 | 3:15 PM

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An opportunity to play Division I college football has driven Jackson Hutter since he first realized he had the ability to invade opposing backfields and keep teams behind the sticks.

A wrecker at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, the senior linebacker from Mt. Pleasant continues to be motivated by the chance to earn a D-I scholarship.

Hutter made a verbal commitment to Robert Morris as a preferred walk-on, meaning he can earn scholarship money based on his performance.

“It’s a great challenge,” Hutter said. “Any level of college athletics is a privilege.”

Hutter’s father, Aaron, said Jackson did earn an academic scholarship worth $68,000.

Hutter also had Division II offers from Cal (Pa.) and Millersville but appreciated the challenge of making a name for himself at an FCS program.

“The campus is great with great academics, and the coaches are awesome,” Hutter said of RMU.

The Colonials like him as a linebacker, as do most schools that showed interest in Hutter, who missed some time this season because of injury.

Still, he made 45 tackles (12 for loss), forced two fumbles and had a sack. He also played running back, rushing for 366 yards, and caught 12 receptions for 220 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns.

Hutter comes from a family that expects to carry athletic talent to the next level.

Aaron Hutter played football at Cal. His daughter, Katie, is on the softball team at Bowling Green. His wife, Abbey, was a four-sport athlete who played basketball at Pitt-Greensburg.

And his brother, Brody, a 200-pound sophomore, also is expected to draw college attention. Jackson and Brody are weightlifting partners who often arrived at 6 a.m. to work out together.

After a great conversation with @CoachPlungasRMU and @80sCane57 proud to announce my commitment to Robert Morris University to continue my academic and athletic career. @RMU_Football @RMU @BillBeckner @Schofield_Trib @WPIAL_Insider @PA_TodaySports @Cover3_ATH pic.twitter.com/NgwsWk2GLt

— Jackson Hutter (@HutterJackson) February 2, 2024

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Mt. Pleasant