Name: Drake Jackson
School: University of South California
Year: Junior
Position: EDGE
Measurables: 6’3”, 254 lbs. (Combine Measurements)
Stats:
General Info:
A star at Centennial High School in Corona, California, Drake Jackson was one of the biggest fish from USC’s 2019 recruiting class. He was a composite four-star and the 56th highest ranked prospect, per 247 Sports, while being a top-three defensive end. Most of the interest in Jackson came from Californian and Pac-12 schools, and he decided to stay in state by signing with USC.
As a true freshman, Jackson was one of USC’s best defenders. He was a starter from day one, becoming the first freshman to start USC’s line since Everson Griffen in 2007. Jackson started all 11 games he appeared in and led the team in both tackles-for-loss (11.5) and sacks (5.5). After the season, numerous outlets named him to their “Freshman All-American” and “All Pac-12” teams, including PFF, AP, and Phil Steele.
Expectations were obviously high for Jackson following his sophomore year, but the impact of COVID-19 detracted from what might have been a dominant campaign. In six games (all starts), Jackson had 20 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and two sacks (with a pick just for kicks), and was once again named to several All Pac-12 second teams. It should be noted that he was transitioning to an OLB, however, after playing DE his freshman year.
Jackson’s 2021 junior season was a lot of “same old, same old.” He appeared in 11 games, starting nine of them, and put together another strong season. Jackson once again led USC in TFLs, with 8, and added another five sacks to bring his career total to 12.5. Just like the previous two years, Jackson was present on multiple All Pack-12 second teams.
Expecting to declare for the draft, Jackson opted out of USC’s final game of the season against California to prepare/protect himself. He was invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, where he put up strong numbers in the broad and vertical jumps (the only two measurables he performed at the Combine.). At his Pro Day, he also performed in three-cone and agility drills, and his measurements would have been towards the top of all players who tested as defensive ends at the Combine. Jackson also bulked up substantially for his Pro Day, weighing in at 273 lbs. as compared to his Combine weight of 254.
Positional Skills:
Strengths
- Plus athlete, with really strong agility and explosiveness measurables.
- Put on 20 pounds and still had a strong Pro Day performance, suggesting that he can still be effective (and potentially better) with that added weight.
- One of the most flexible, bendy pass rushers in the draft.
- As a 3-4 OLB, Jackson has shown the ability to drop into space and hold his own in coverage.
- Stays low and uses leverage very well.
- One of the youngest prospects in the draft, having turned 21 on April 12th.
- Lateral movement—Jackson can get up and down the line of scrimmage while fighting his way to the QB.
Weaknesses
- Consistency has eluded Jackson over his three years at USC.
- Lacks desired strength on the edge. He was overwhelmed by stronger tackles at times.
- Too reliant on athleticism right now. Jackson is very raw, and does not use his hands well.
- You know those clips of defensive ends being blocked out of frame by a tight end on a run play? Yeah… Jackson cannot be trusted as a consistent player against the run right now, to say the least.
- Inconsistent tackler.
Fit with the Packers:
In some ways, Jackson has a lot of what the Packers look for in a developmental prospect, especially in the early rounds of the draft. He is an extremely athletic, extremely young player who needs refining. However, some of his weaknesses are extremely concerning; I worry about his inability to turn his speed and explosiveness into power, and when a player doesn’t seem to develop much over three years of college football, it’s a red flag for me. It will be interesting to see if he is able to maintain/be effective at his Pro Day weight, which would put him in the range of Gary/Z Smith, or if he winds up at his USC playing weight. In his game tape, Jackson is built a lot like Brian Burns, and I would imagine a lot of teams hope Jackson can develop like the Panthers star. I would hesitate to take Jackson at 28, though I would not rule out entirely, but he seems like a potential second round target for the Packers. Green Bay would be an ideal place for Jackson to land, as he could spend time behind Gary and Preston Smith as he develops as a player.