Georgia football product Dan Jackson boosting his draft stock at Reese's Senior Bowl
Former Georgia Bulldogs safety Dan Jackson just boosted his draft stock at the Reese's Senior Bowl with a big play. On Day 3 of Senior Bowl practice, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart went to connect with TCU wide receiver Jack Bech in the endzone, but Jackson wasn't having it. The Georgia football product came across […]
Former Georgia Bulldogs safety Dan Jackson just boosted his draft stock at the Reese's Senior Bowl with a big play.
On Day 3 of Senior Bowl practice, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart went to connect with TCU wide receiver Jack Bech in the endzone, but Jackson wasn't having it.
The Georgia football product came across the field to force a perfect incompletion.
If you were to ask scouts a year ago, Jackson's name most likely would not have been on anyone's radar.
But after an outstanding 2024 season with the Bulldogs, Jackson earned his right to be in Mobile, Alabama this week.
In his final season at Georgia, Jackson logged a career-high 64 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
Kirby Smart Calls Dan Jackson's College Football Story 'One of the Greatest'
Jackson's NFL draft story will be one for the college football history books.
What makes Jackson so special is that Georgia never recruited the hometown kid back in 2019 when he joined the scout team, nor did he become a scholarship player when he was named a full-time starter.
And that's exactly why coach Smart believes Jackson has what it takes to make it to the next level.
"This is one of the greatest stories of college football that nobody talks about," Smart said. "I mean, the guy, he didn't walk on until we called him. He got in school here and said, 'Hey, Coach, I would like to play football at Georgia.' Like we didn't recruit him. We recruited Ladd McConkey. We recruited these walk-ons. This guy showed up at our doorstep, and as a starter, as a competitor, and blocking field goals. He didn't have to come back this year. I mean he came back because he loves this place. He loves Georgia. He don't do it for him. He don't do it for money. He's never asked for anything. I mean, he loves the place."
According to several NFL draft scouting reports, Jackson is a projected Day 3 pick.
However, exactly when he goes off the draft board will be determined by how well the rest of his NFL draft process goes.
"I mean, there's somebody out there, some fan, and they say, 'Well, you know, you can do NIL.' Somebody ought to say, 'Dan Jackson, I will take care of you for the rest of your life,' because I promise you, he'll be the best employee, the best worker. I mean, that's after his football career," Smart said. "Because I really believe the guy got a chance to play in the National Football League because he's fast, he's tough, he's smart."