LAR • OLB • #44
Jackson (6’4/264) grew up in Temecula, CA, and was recruited to Wazzu as a three-star DE by legendary air raid HC Mike Leach. His 14.5 sacks and 24.5 TFL’s throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons earned him Second Team All-Pac-12 accolades in each campaign. He is quick off the ball and plays with tenacity, but lacks a true pass rush plan and a bag of moves. Improving the placement of his strikes and the overall efficiency of his hand usage would benefit his game greatly. Because he is so raw in that aspect, he relied frequently on power and an indefatigable motor to will his way to the quarterback. Scoring in the 77th percentile as a pass rusher last year, his strategy was effective but there remains room for improvement. His effectiveness in run defense neutralizes Jackson’s flaws as a pass rusher. The former three-star has the strength and anchor to set the edge successfully, and he frequently finds himself disposing of blocks and making tackles. While his 32 ¾ inch arms and average on-field athleticism will likely hold him back from becoming a plus starter in the NFL, he projects as a rotational early down edge if teams can get behind his run defense capabilities.
9 months ago
April 27, 2024 6:56 PM
