Jackson Jeffcoat

Widely considered one of the top recruits out of high school four years ago, Jeffcoat stayed in-state to play for the Longhorns and found the field early in his career, becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore. He struggled to live up to the hype as an underclassman and missed most of 2012 due to injury, but rebounded strong as a senior, earning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Ted Hendricks Awards. Jeffcoat has strong hands to work off blocks, but is too easily manhandled in the run game as teams run at him routinely and he struggles to do much to stop it. He lacks special traits, but his motivated attitude and NFL bloodlines help him considerably. Jeffcoat doesn?t have elite skills, but is a try-hard player with enough ability to warrant a mid-round pick.

strengths

Looks the part with a solidly-built frame. Strong and forceful hands to attack, beat and fight through blocks. Works off contact well to stay controlled and be a force behind the line of scrimmage. Quick feet and lateral agility to sidestep blocks and close quickly. Makes plays all over the field with his chase speed and relentless pursuit. Nice job in space to stay disciplined with his eyes and won?t miss many tackles vs. the run. Top-notch motor and gives top effort, giving consistent hustle through the whistle. Strong competitor and works hard to finish. Versatile experience on the line and as a spy linebacker, lining up in both two and three point stance. Very good bloodlines as the son of Jefferson Jeffcoat, 15-year NFL veteran. Strong senior season, leading the team in tackles (86), tackles for loss (22.0) and sacks (13.0), earning the Ted Hendricks Award (nation?s top defensive end) and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Award.

weaknesses

Broad shoulders, but large chest gives big target for blockers. Leaner than ideal with average strength and muscle definition. Lacks ideal functional strength to win at the point of attack with power, too easily blocked out of the play. Rushes too upright and plays too high with little bend. Tweener traits with inconsistent pad level. Straight-linish and lacks ideal ankle and hip fluidity. Limited creativity with his pass rush moves. Too easily handled in the run game and inconsistent holding contain, too easily tied up with single blockers. Battled injuries most of his career, missing most of 2012 with a right pectoral muscle rupture that required surgery.

Coached by Mike Hughes at Plano West H.S.

a prep All-American, two-time first-team all-state and all-area and three-time first-team all-district selection at defensive end

named to PARADE's All-America High School Football Team

earned first-team All-USA honors by USA Today

an EA SPORTS All-American first-team selection

selected to play in the 2010 Army All-American Bowl

a member of Rivals' top 100 and ESPNU's top 150 national prospects

ranked as the best defensive end and second-best overall prospect by ESPNU and the best strongside defensive end and 12th-best overall prospect by Rivals

rated as the state's best defensive end by Dave Campbell's Texas Football

recorded 259 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 56 TFL, 42 pressures, four PBU, three forced fumbles, two INTs, two blocked kicks and a TD over his final three seasons

earned first-team all-state honors from the Associated Press and the Texas Sports Writers Association as a senior

named first-team Dave Campbell's Texas Football Super Team

a member of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Elite 11

tabbed the Dallas Morning News Defensive Player of the Year while earning first-team all-area honors

tabbed the district 8-5A Defensive Player of the Year while earning first-team honors

recorded 87 tackles (67 solo), 8.5 sacks, 20 TFL, 22 pressures, two INTs, one of which he returned for a TD, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks

helped Plano West reach the first round of the state playoffs

selected to the 2008 EA SPORTS Football Junior All-America first team as a junior

named first-team all-state by the AP

also earned second-team all-state honors from the TSWA

first-team all-district 8-5A selection

recorded 94 tackles, seven sacks, 18 TFL, 20 pressures and four PBU while leading Plano West to the first round of the state playoffs

tabbed first-team all-district as a sophomore

recorded 78 tackles, 10 sacks and 18 TFL

tabbed the 2006 All-Area Newcomer of the Year by the Dallas Morning News

a four-year letterman in basketball

all-district and district Defensive Player of the Year as a senior

an all-district and second-team all-area selection as a junior

a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 5A all-region selection

also a three-year letterman in track and field.

Born in Dallas, Texas

active in UT's community service program

part of a group of Longhorns that visits the Dell Children's Medical Center

participated in the SMU Hart Global Leaders Forum with the former prime minister of Great Britain Tony Blair

served as a speaker at middle and elementary schools during drug free week

volunteered at the Dallas Food Bank

helped with Plano West's Turkey Drop

father, Jim, was a standout defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys (1983-94) and Buffalo Bills (1995-97) and has served as the defensive line coach at the University of Houston.