There are fast players in every cornerback group of every draft class. After all, it is the position where speed metrics weigh the most. As I will get into below, there are multiple factors and ingredients that will derive the number grade we attach to prospects at the position. Jackson has the makings of a credible “CB1” both on the field and in testing. After a high school track career that included a state-record 10.21 100 Meter, Jackson stayed in his home state and began his career at USC under Lincoln Riley during the Caleb Williams era. Over two injury-riddled seasons he played in 18 games and started for one year. He transferred to Alabama to play under Nick Saban but he opted to stay even after the announcement of the Alabama legend retiring. He ended up having a career-year and proved his five-star rating with the rare blend of tools that should be on everyone’s radar. All of his production skyrocketed and every metric one can use on the field in evaluation improved. Let’s take a look at the key cornerback traits and where he stacks up.
Size/Speed: Jackson unofficially measures in at 6’1” / 201. That is the ideal prototype body for the position. He carries 200+ pounds exceptionally well and it shows up in both press coverage and contact in contested targets. He is a sturdy, firm athlete who can handle the physical side of the game easily. Simply put, his speed is elite and can be put in the “rare” bucket. His 100 Meter times from high school are among the best ever. Jackson’s triangle numbers are going to rival what we saw out of Patrick Surtian II (also out of Alabama), the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Mirror Ability: Jackson obviously has the straight line speed to stay on top of the best vertical threats in the NFL. He can make up for mistakes and chew up space if he is initially beat. The biggest question with his movement traits are in more condensed areas of the field. Can he smoothly turn his hips and change direction on routes within the intermediate to short routes? Part of that will be recognition and instincts but the other half centers around balance and agility. Nobody can question his overall athleticism but the issues that do show up in coverage have centered around separation allowed underneath.
Ball Skills/Reactions: After two seasons in USC, this was the most alarming component to his evaluation. Jackson was targeted 33 times and allowed 22 catches (66%) with two pass break ups. Those 22 catches resulted in 461 yards (23+ yards per) and a couple touchdowns. Following the transfer we saw these numbers come way down. The 2024 season at Alabama saw him targeted 50 times with just 27 of them being completed (54%), five pass break ups and two interceptions. The 27 catches resulted in 311 yards (11.5 yards per). Jackson seemed more balanced and under control when the ball was being thrown his way and it made his speed appear on tape more consistently.
Run Defense/Tackling: While some evaluators still subscribe to the notion that “you pay the other ten guys to tackle”, a corner’s ability to be an every down factor matters to our scouting. With teams attacking these nickel defenses with the running game and short passing attacks, how willing these corners are to stick their hat into an incoming pile of force can be a difference maker. Jackson’s 22.4% missed tackle rate in 2024 needs to improve, plain and simple. It ranked in the bottom 25-percentile last season nationally. The eye test is less than inspiring as well when it comes to looking for an effort gauge.
Instincts/Recognition: This is an area that is admittedly difficult to evaluate on tape alone. While an educated guess can be made, a lot of these blurry lines can and will be made more clear via interviews and meetings with his coaching staff. My initial read on Jackson when comparing his 2023 tape (at USC) to the 2024 tape (at Alabama) is that the strides are being made under new coaching. USC struggled to develop quality defensive back talent while Alabama has a phD there. Jackson, with another year under their leadership, is likely to take another step up in this area which will maximize his elite tools.
Jackson enters the 2025 season as my personal CB1. While it is more projection than current evaluation, there has been enough on tape to give the notion he knows how to play the position. Mesh that with the triangle numbers that can be put up against anybody in the country (college and pro) and how hard it is to find a real “CB1” in today’s NFL, Jackson is one good season away from being in the top-five discussion. If he continues to show more bark than bite, his projection will likely stay in the late first round area. No matter what, though, this is a top-32 pick all day.