Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Size:
Height: 6060
Weight: 264
Arm: 33 ¼”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-SEC (2023)
“Landon Jackson can align at multiple positions along the defensive front and give valuable reps stopping the run while also making impactful plays as a pass rusher.”
Strengths:
High effort/motor
Arm length/measurables
Strong hands and functional strength
Alignment/scheme-versatile
Concerns:
Loses leverage
High pad level
Change of direction
Consistency in technique
Film Analysis:
Landon Jackson originally started his collegiate career at LSU before transferring to Arkansas where he burst onto the season nationally as an NFL draft prospect during the 2023 season. Jackson is an alignment-versatile edge rusher who plays in a multiple-front defense where he can showcase his diverse skill set and make impactful plays as both a run defender and a pass rusher. Jackson made his imprint on college football in the 2023 season against Alabama when he had 3.5 sacks, showing the upside he has as a player. Jackson has a violent temperament combined with a high motor that allows him to make impactful plays along the defensive front. In 2024, Jackson repeated the same production but instead of one big performance, he was able to be more consistent throughout the season while still being able to be a force against the run in multiple alignments. Jackson has a violent temperament combined with a high motor that allows him to make impactful plays along the defensive front.
Against the run, Jackson has a mixed array of moves he can utilize to win depending on alignment. As an edge rusher, Jackson flashes quick, powerful hands and can shoot to lock out offensive linemen and shed them to make a play on ball-carriers. Jackson is intentional and can set a hard edge against the run, forcing running backs to have to cut back inside of him to the flow of the defense. When reduced inside against the run, Jackson battles to win the rep and hold the point of attack, but he can also use his athleticism and length to shoot gaps and get penetration to disrupt run plays. Because of his length and overall size, when Jackson is attacking upfield, he has a wide radius to impact run plays consistently. Jackson has a violent temperament and a high motor to consistently make tackles, tracking down ball-carriers in all areas of the field.
As a pass rusher, Jackson can work the outside arc to win the edge by utilizing different hand counters to beat the offensive lineman and then turning the corner to get to the quarterback. Jackson can also work counter moves by starting on the outside arc and then redirecting to take the inside angle to beat the offensive lineman. Jackson's size and length make him a disruptive player as a pass rusher, and while he may not always get the sack he can get pressure.
Jackson's biggest question is his consistency in technique. Because Jackson is a tall prospect, there are times when he will lose the leverage battle in the run game and an offensive lineman can get under his pads and control the rep. As a pass rusher, Jackson will at times rush in an upright position that hinders his ability to change direction. It then becomes a longer process for him to sink his hips and turn the corner to win the arc. Jackson is a tall prospect who at times has long strides that could affect his quickness and change of direction.
Overall, Jackson flashes the ability to be an impactful defensive lineman and his success in the NFL will be based on what role he plays in a defense. He looks best suited to be a run-stopping DE in a 4-3 scheme or a 3-4 DE.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Oklahoma State (2024) LSU (2024) Texas (2024), Ole Miss (2024), Alabama (2023), LSU (2023), Florida (2023), Auburn (2023)
