We continue to roll along! Next up, another young defensive lineman that will play a big role in 2020.
24 – DT/NT DJ Jackson (RS SO) – Jackson signed with La Tech in the 2018 recruiting cycle out of Mesquite, TX. Jackson also held offers from North Texas, Southern Miss, and Tulane.
Jackson also played RB in HS. Yes, running back.
He signed at around 270 pounds and is up to 295 pounds now. He still moves pretty well, but he’s only 6’0, so he’s short for a DL.
When he signed, it was easy to see the fit. He would be a DT for the Bulldogs for years to come. Now, with the switch to the 3-4, it’s a little tougher to see the fit, but he contributed as RS FR at NT and played pretty well. In 200 snaps, he earned a 67.2 PFF grade. He’s much better as a run defender than pass rusher at this point. He only had 3 pass rush pressures in 112 pass rush snaps in 2019. Every guy isn’t going to be a great pass rusher and run defender. All that said, I was extremely surprised with how he contributed in 2019. I just didn’t think he would get on the field that early in his career.
What is Jackson’s outlook for 2020? I think he’ll be on the field a ton in 4-man fronts. Can he play that big DE spot at times? Can he continue to hold his own at a NT? I think he’ll be competing with Wilbon right out of the gate to start the season. We’ll see who wins out in the end.
For his career, I don’t think he ever becomes an all-conference type player, but I think he’ll be a decent contributor at worst. Hopefully his athleticism starts to show up more and more with experience.
24 – DT/NT DJ Jackson (RS SO) – Jackson signed with La Tech in the 2018 recruiting cycle out of Mesquite, TX. Jackson also held offers from North Texas, Southern Miss, and Tulane.
Jackson also played RB in HS. Yes, running back.
He signed at around 270 pounds and is up to 295 pounds now. He still moves pretty well, but he’s only 6’0, so he’s short for a DL.
When he signed, it was easy to see the fit. He would be a DT for the Bulldogs for years to come. Now, with the switch to the 3-4, it’s a little tougher to see the fit, but he contributed as RS FR at NT and played pretty well. In 200 snaps, he earned a 67.2 PFF grade. He’s much better as a run defender than pass rusher at this point. He only had 3 pass rush pressures in 112 pass rush snaps in 2019. Every guy isn’t going to be a great pass rusher and run defender. All that said, I was extremely surprised with how he contributed in 2019. I just didn’t think he would get on the field that early in his career.
What is Jackson’s outlook for 2020? I think he’ll be on the field a ton in 4-man fronts. Can he play that big DE spot at times? Can he continue to hold his own at a NT? I think he’ll be competing with Wilbon right out of the gate to start the season. We’ll see who wins out in the end.
For his career, I don’t think he ever becomes an all-conference type player, but I think he’ll be a decent contributor at worst. Hopefully his athleticism starts to show up more and more with experience.
