Jackson Brings ‘Star’ Qualities to NFL

NASHVILLE – Security Theo Jackson took his first steps towards a possible NFL profession over the weekend.

The very fact he’s already been a Star ought to solely assist his trigger.

In Jackson’s fifth and ultimate yr on the College of Tennessee, new defensive coordinator Tim Banks applied a 4-2-5 scheme that consisted of two defensive tackles, two defensive ends, two linebackers, two cornerbacks and two safeties.

The eleventh defensive place was known as the Star, and it was a hybrid mixture of all the pieces however line of defense.

“You’re actually a security, a nook and a linebacker in that scheme, so that you’ve actually simply acquired to be robust, acquired to be good and quick,” Jackson stated Saturday on the Tennessee Titans’ rookie orientation. “So it’s actually simply … you’ve acquired to be a ballplayer.”

The position turned out to be excellent for the 6-foot-1, 198-pound Jackson, a Nashville native and Overton Excessive graduate who exploded statistically in his ultimate season with the Vols.

Enjoying all around the protection, Jackson – who’d began a mixed 12 video games in his first 4 seasons – began 12 in 2021, stuffing the stat sheet with profession highs of 78 tackles, 9 tackles for loss (tied for first amongst SEC defensive backs) and 12 move break-ups (second within the SEC).

What made him such an excellent match on the Star spot?

“I already had the scale,” Jackson stated. “That type of took care of itself. After which I added the velocity, so being good and realizing what’s coming and who I’m going in opposition to, that type of helped me out.”

These had been among the qualities the Titans discovered so interesting in Jackson, because the staff was seeking to change Dane Cruikshank, a jack-of-all-trades defensive again who was usually requested to cowl opponents’ tight ends. That position will include loads of challenges this yr, contemplating the Titans are scheduled to see tight ends like Kansas Metropolis’s Travis Kelce, Las Vegas’ Darren Waller, Dallas’s Dalton Schultz, Buffalo’s Dawson Knox and Philadelphia’s Dallas Goedert amongst others.

“It don’t actually matter to me,” Jackson stated. “That’s simply the DB within me. I don’t actually care who I’m going in opposition to. It’s me versus him, so I’m going to do my method, he’s going to do his. (We’re) actually simply out right here enjoying ball.”

Along with Jackson’s play for the Vols final season, his efficiency on the Titans’ native Professional Day on April 8 impressed his hometown franchise.

On an uncharacteristically chilly and wet day, Jackson nonetheless introduced the vitality.

“I loved assembly him when he got here for the native day … simply favored his angle,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel stated. “It was actually cool to have the ability to see him right here for that day and go to with him, watch him work out. It wasn’t like he was averse to figuring out. He got here and labored out within the rain.”

Stated Jackson: “Oh, I don’t care what sort of climate it’s. Good work is sweet work wherever, in order that’s simply the mentality that I’ve. If I can’t go, I can’t go. But when I can, I’ll.”

Jackson stated he left the exercise that day pondering he’d made an excellent impression on the Titans, however knew he needed to play a ready recreation. He was grateful when he acquired the telephone name on April 30, simply earlier than the Titans chosen him within the sixth spherical – 204^th general.

In his second day of rookie minicamp, Jackson produced the apply’s most memorable second, stepping in entrance of a Malik Willis move and making the session’s solely interception. He got here very near a second choose as nicely, only a fraction of a second too late breaking on a Willis move to Treylon Burks over the center.

Maybe we shouldn’t be shocked Jackson is already flashing amongst his fellow rookies.

The person has, in any case, already been a Star.