Georgia's Kirby Smart reiterates what makes former walk-on Dan Jackson so special

They don't call him "dirty" Dan for nothing.  Dan Jackson, a former walk-on defensive back at Georgia, came up huge in the team's 44-42 eight overtime win over Georgia Tech on Friday night when he forced a fumble on quarterback Haynes King to give the Bulldogs life again.  After the game, the sixth-year senior earned high […]

Kelsey Kramer — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Dan Jackson (17) reacts after a turnover on downs against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images

They don't call him "dirty" Dan for nothing. 

Dan Jackson, a former walk-on defensive back at Georgia, came up huge in the team's 44-42 eight overtime win over Georgia Tech on Friday night when he forced a fumble on quarterback Haynes King to give the Bulldogs life again. 

After the game, the sixth-year senior earned high praise from head coach Kirby Smart, not only for that big-time hit, but also for the kind of player he is. 

"Man, to think that guy came to Georgia on his own, without us even recruiting him, and to make the plays he's made," Smart said. "That hit fumble will be one for the ages because he wasn't just hitting a normal dude. That guy's a competitor. A lot of respect for Dan.

"He didn't even have to come back this year. He debated whether he was going to play football again this year. I think about where we'd be without him, just a lot of respect for him and his leadership. Really, all these kids that want to go and transfer and change and do all this, look at a guy like Dan Jackson. He is what college football is all about, guys. He's not asking for more money. He's not trying to go somewhere else. The guy just loves Georgia."

Jackson finishes his final regulat season at Georgia logging 56 total tackles (44 solo), a forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and three passes defended. 

His name wasn't always in the NFL draft conversation, but after spectacular 2024 season, Jackson is officially on the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

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