Former Oregon Ducks All-American Jackson Powers-Johnson goes unfiltered on his path to becoming the Las Vegas Raiders center
The Las Vegas Raiders are amidst a big transition this offseason, welcoming legendary head coach Pete Carroll and a brand new era. The team also welcomed former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith this offseason, and this organization already looks a ton different. It will be interesting to see how much the team improves this season, […]
The Las Vegas Raiders are amidst a big transition this offseason, welcoming legendary head coach Pete Carroll and a brand new era. The team also welcomed former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith this offseason, and this organization already looks a ton different. It will be interesting to see how much the team improves this season, and how quickly a turnaround happens.
In order for the team to take a huge step, some of the preexisting foundation also need to make substantial jumps as well. That includes second-year center Jackson Powers-Johnson. A second round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Powers-Johnson is expected to eventually become one of the top interior lineman in the NFL.
The 6-3, 334-pounder began the 2024 season as the team’s starting left guard. He spent some time while a member of the Oregon Ducks team, but his best moments came as a center during his final year in 2023. Powers-Johnson has his preference on what position is best for him, and he told a hilarious story on The Rush with Maxx Crosby and how he ended up becoming the team’s starting center.
“I played guard, and I was a pretty good guard but I think of myself as a damn good center… I did my shit in college, won the Rimington, and all that fun stuff. I really wasn't even supposed to play center. We are playing the (Kansas City) Chiefs, I think in like week five or six and Andre (James) ended up going down. They were going to put someone in at center who hadn't gotten snaps all week at it, and I was irate. I was pissed. They were trying to find someone to snap to Gardner (Minshew) at the time, and I am like no. I was like, "Coach, respectfully, I am going to play fu**ing center. I won the Rimington. I can do this and I don't care what you say, I am going to play center."
That is kind of the first time I took ownership and he was surprised, and he said alright, let's go. One of the first couple of plays, I hip-tossed someone and I was back. Then after that, I wasn't giving it back up. I will do what the team needs me to do but I am going to make them make a hard decision about me playing center or not.”
Everyone constantly talks about accountability for football players, and clearly Powers-Johnson took some during that moment against the Chiefs. He is a bit of an odd fit at center at 334 pounds in theory, but it just works. Powers-Johnson looks like a pillar that the team needs on the offensive side of the football.
Most viewed Powers-Johnson as a first round player back in the 2024 class, but some medical rechecks caused him to fall into the second round. The offense has been a major issue for the Raiders in recent years, and getting that unit much better is a major priority. We know who the quarterback-center combination will be heading into the future at least, that’s for sure.
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He’s going to be a big addition.
