Chad Jackson

The two-year starter and Biletnikoff Award semifinalist decided to bypass his senior year to test his value in the National Football League in 2006. Jackson came into his own as a junior, proving to be an effective runner on reverses and a clutch short area pass catcher. Jackson was regarded as the best prep receiver produced by the state of Alabama since the days of Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome in the early 1970s at Colbert County High. During his time at Hoover High School, Jackson was selected to the Parade and Super Prep All-America teams. He was rated the best receiver in Alabama by Super Prep and named Class 6A Alabama Back of the Year. He was a member of the Alabama Super All-State team, was twice named Class 6A All-State and finished second for Alabama's Mr. Football Award as a senior. The three-year starter served as team captain as a senior, leading the squad to state Class 6A championships as a sophomore and a senior and to the state championship game as a junior. His team finished with a combined mark of 42-3 over his final three seasons, including a 13-1 senior campaign. He was chosen as the team MVP as a senior, when he caught 68 passes for 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns. He caught and threw a touchdown pass and had 145 yards receiving in his senior championship game. Jackson had 70 catches for 1,407 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. For his career, he scored 52 touchdowns and also saw time at free safety. In track, Jackson finished third at the state meet in the 300 meters. He also played basketball for three years before concentrating on football as a senior. As a true freshman at Florida, Jackson appeared in only four games on offense, seeing action in every game on special teams. He made three catches for 38 yards (12.7 avg) and a score, adding 47 yards on two kickoff returns while recording four solo tackles. Jackson played on all of the special team units as a sophomore while starting three games on offense. He ranked fourth on the squad with 29 catches for 648 yards (22.3 avg) and six touchdowns. Jackson gained 135 yards on seven kickoff returns (19.3 avg) and 17 yards on five punt returns, and posted a pair of solo tackles. He moved into the starting lineup at flanker in the second game of the 2005 season. Jackson went on to lead the Southeastern Conference with an average of 7.33 receptions per game. The first-team All-SEC choice led the team with a career-high 88 catches for 900 yards (10.2 avg) and nine touchdowns. He collected 89 yards and two scores on 16 carries (5.5 avg) and 18 yards on four punt returns. In 30 games on offense (39 total), Jackson started 14 times. He caught 120 passes for 1,586 yards (13.2 avg) and 16 touchdowns, rushed 17 times for 90 yards (5.3 avg) and a pair of scores and returned nine punts for 35 yards. He recorded six solo tackles and picked up 188 yards on 10 kickoff returns, finishing his career with an average of 63.3 all-purpose yards per game.

while he has nifty feet to make sharp changes of direction, he does not do this with consistency and needs to improve his route awareness. he needs to sink his hips in and out of his cuts to separate better, but did show the ability to find the soft spots and settle underneath. he just needs to stop rounding his cuts, especially when turning to the outside.

Jackson could have used another year in college, as he does not always show the vision to locate sticks or the sidelines and did not work back to the quarterback much when the pocket was pressured. He looks the ball in well when working the short area, but his 10.2-yards per catch average in 2005 is an indication he was best served on screens and flares rather than being involved in the deep passing game.

as a blocker, he makes the effort to gain position and maintain in pass protection, but lacks the bulk to hold his ground for long. he is better when cut blocking upfield, as he attacks the linebackers with good form and is not an "ankle biter" like most receivers.

Another year in school would have been beneficial, as he is not exactly ready for prime time at this stage of his development. He has the tools to be a productive receiver at the next level, but needs to show better route-running ability, especially displaying better crispness and cutting ability on deep patterns. He lacks recognition ability and will need time to develop a better feel for coverages, but he has the speed and frame to work with. How he performs in private workouts will determine if he is a first round pick, but it is certain that he will be taken sometime during the first day.

negatives

Lacks a good feel for route running, as he takes too many soft angle cuts and fails to sink his hips properly to come out of his breaks cleanly...Needs to show a better feel for sticks and boundaries...Also fails to react when the quarterback is pressured (does not come back for the ball)...Has the feet to make sharp changes of direction, but rounds his patterns...Will reach and pluck the ball, but has had fumble issues when he "short arms" the ball and lets it absorb into his body (juggles the ball too much when doing this)...Adequate cut blocker and shows willingness to gain position and maintain when blocking in pass protection, but lacks the strength to sustain and is often run over when asked to pick up the blitz...Has valid speed to elude, but needs to show better shake and wiggle after the catch.

positives

Has a solid frame with lean muscle development, tight waist, good bubble and quickness...Short-stepper with the acceleration to quickly gain advantage on the defensive back coming off the line of scrimmage...Does a good job of finding the soft spot and settling in the zone...Runs good short area routes, using his frame to shield the ball from the defender, and has the second gear to separate after the catch...Uses his size to compete for the ball in traffic...Has the speed moves to get the defensive backs up on their heels...Provides a good target over the middle and shows the courage to absorb the hits going up to make the play...Has the quickness in his release and the strong hand push to defeat press coverage...Will not hesitate to lay out to make a catch and has the leaping skills to get to the ball at its highest point...Demonstrates the valid feet and burst needed to make the initial tackler miss...Elusive runner with good knee lift to step over trash.

he is best when running short area routes, where he shows better crispness in his breaks. he has the size to compete for the ball in traffic and make body adjustments, but does like to jump and body catch a bit. jackson excels at catching in a crowd and has the courage to combat for the jump balls. he will extend and pluck the ball, but did struggle with his consistency in the past (lacks softness and will juggle the ball). when he catches with his body, he will bobble the ball, but when he extends, he can catch and run without having to gear down.

While he has the speed to get downfield, the Florida system used in 2005 did not utilize him much on deep routes. Most of his long gains came by piling up yardage after the catch. He has the ability to lay out and catch it deep, but it was hoped that with his speed, the offensive game plan would use him more as a vertical threat. His speed is evident by his "make you miss" ability in eluding the initial tackler. He also has enough leg drive to break arm tackles to get extra yardage.

jackson has a solid frame with lean muscle development. he has a tight waist, good bubble and good speed and body control. he is a shifty and quick athlete who runs with good acceleration, but needs to show more tightness in his routes and generate sharper cuts (takes a soft angle at times). he looks the ball in effectively, but has inconsistent hands, as he will juggle the ball a bit, leading to costly fumbles (see 2005 mississippi state and tennessee games).

Jackson can gain advantage on the cornerback when he takes short steps off the line of scrimmage and utilizes his burst and acceleration. He shows good urgency getting upfield and the strength to escape the press. He uses his hands well to push off the defender and has enough quickness to escape and get back on the stem. He has enough speed to close the cushion and the explosiveness to get behind his opponent.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.47 in the 40-yard dash

320-pound bench press

275-pound power clean

37-inch vertical jump

31 ¾-inch arm length

9 ½-inch hands.

Attended Hoover (Ala.) High School, playing football for head coach Rush Propst

Was regarded as the best prep receiver produced by the state of Alabama since the days of Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome of Colbert County Highin the early 1970s

Jackson was named to the Parade and Super Prep All-America teams

Rated the best receiver in Alabama by Super Prep and was selected Class 6A Alabama Back of the Year

Member of the Alabama Super All-State team, was twice named Class 6A All-State and finished second for Alabama's Mr. Football Award as a senior

The three-year starter served as team captain as a senior, leading the squad to state Class 6A championships as a sophomore and a senior and to the state championship game as a junior. His team finished with a combined mark of 42-3 over his final three seasons, including a 13-1 senior campaign

Chosen as the team MVP as a senior, when he caught 68 passes for 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns

Caught and threw a touchdown pass and recorded 145 yards receiving in his senior championship game

Had 70 catches for 1,407 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior

For his career, he scored 52 touchdowns overall and also saw time at free safety

In track, Jackson finished third at the state meet in the 300 meters

Also played basketball for three years before concentrating on football as a senior.

Anthropology major

Son of Icaye and Watson Jackson

Born Chad Watson Jackson on 3/06/85 in Birmingham, Alabama

Resides in Hoover, Alabama. BACK TO TOP PROFILE GAME ANALYSIS PLAYER NEWS PLAYER STATISTICS Expanded & Classic Player Profiles Are OFFICIAL NFL RECORDS by Scout Dave Te' Thomas, NFLScouting, NFLDraftScout.com © Copyright - The Sports Xchange , My Sports Daily . All Rights Reserved Home | Contact Us | About Us | Privacy Policy