Player Bio
An all-district receiver at Texas' Lake Dallas High School, Jackson came to Iowa City thinking he would be catching passes. Turns out he was, though those passes would be coming from the opponents' quarterbacks. Jackson became a national name in 2017 by finishing as the nation's leader with eight interceptions and 26 passes defended. He earned first-team AP All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors as a 13-game starter with 48 tackles, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. He redshirted in 2014, and then moved from receiver to cornerback in the spring of 2015 and served in a reserve role on defense for two seasons behind a talented set of Hawkeyes cornerbacks. Jackson played in all 14 games in 2015, making eight tackles and breaking up two passes. He played in 12 games as a sophomore, starting the team's bowl game and finishing with 10 stops, one for loss, and four pass breakups.
Analysis
By: Lance Zierlein NFL Analyst
Draft Projection: Rounds 1-2
NFL Comparison: Josh Norman
Overview
Long-armed ball-hawk who understands how to maximize his length to disrupt the catch and take it away. Jackson could be labeled a "one-year wonder", but 27 passes defensed in a single season isn't random. He's talented but inexperienced and he has coverage holes that could be exploited early in his career. Jackson's draft stock likely took a hit with his average forty time and unimpressive work in position drills. However, he is armed with route anticipation, ball skills, and NFL length that teams covet in a press-man corner. It may take time, but the tools are there to be an early starter.Strengths
- Had mind-blowing ball-hawking season with 27 passes defensed including eight interceptions
- Tall with long arms
- Allowed 41.3 percent completion rate
- Made a play on 25.7 percent of his targets
- Makes his own fortune
- Instincts are top-notch
- Plays the ball and not the man
- Flashed supreme ball skills
- High-point winner with ability to pull down the one-hand grab
- Put together monster performances in big games
- Finished with three interceptions in upset win over Ohio State and two pick-sixes against Wisconsin
- Anticipates routes
- Allowed no touchdowns after Week 4
- Spotlight player
- Lauded for positive attitude and strong work ethic
Weaknesses
- One-year wonder
- Has just 14 career starts
- Early opener from press
- Needs more experience and more patience
- Too easily influenced by release fakes at the line of scrimmage
- Can be turned by quality routes
- Doesn't flash a big chase burst when he gets behind on the routes (crossers)
- Needs to tighten up tackling
- Questions are being raised about his long speed
- Buys into route breaks a little too hard from trail and can be double-moved
