CB J.C. Jackson, Maryland*

5’10” – 201 lbs. – 4.46

Originally attended Florida. Redshirted after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in the first game of his freshman season. After being charged with robbery and suspended from the team (the charges were dropped), attended Riverside Community College the following season before spending his sophomore and junior campaigns in Maryland’s starting lineup. Has a good combination of height and length for a pro defensive back. Lined up on both sides of the defense this past season; most commonly played press-man or bump-and-run, with some shuffle technique as well. A pretty good man cover corner who has the footwork to match releases at the line of scrimmage and uses his hands well to stick with wide receivers through routes, including over the middle of the field. Able to disrupt opponents at the line with a good bump. Rarely in a backpedal but was able to get low when needed. Very quick feet when shuffling in off coverage. Has the speed to carry opposing receivers down the sidelines, with loose hips and some burst when planting and driving on a spot. Consequently, is often in-phase when targeted, although he gives up too many completions on passes which he’s in position to make a play on, and can be targeted by quarterbacks with the confidence to throw into coverage. Nonetheless, managed to intercept four passes over the past two seasons and break up another thirteen. Instincts in zone coverage are lacking. Indecisive when presented with route combinations, and may have been responsible for a couple of ugly blown coverages during the games reviewed. Seems to be a little bit slow to recognize route developments and break on a spot. Effort and technique as a tackler are intermittent at best. Doesn’t use his arms on a consistent basis, and misses a lot of the tackles he attempts when trying to turn himself into a torpedo and take out opponents’ legs. Flashes the ability to make big hits on unsuspecting receivers. Character will require further investigation due to the circumstances which led to his transfer from Florida, but has the type of size and athleticism to interest teams as a developmental man-coverage cornerback in the middle-to-late rounds. Will need to improve his tackling technique, ball skills, and awareness in zone coverage in order to avoid being exploited by pro quarterbacks at the next level.

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