Dan Jackson, SAF, Georgia
Size:
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 195 pounds
Accomplishments:
Coaches Third-Team All-SEC (2024)
”Dan Jackson is a working man’s safety who makes quick trigger reactions downhill to throw his body around.”
Strengths:
Football IQ
Click-and-close
Effort
Special teams floor
Concerns:
Athleticism
Tackling technique
Pursuit angles
Film Analysis:
Dan Jackson wasn’t recruited as a two-way player at North Hall High School after earning all-state awards as a defensive back his senior season. He enrolled at Georgia in 2019, where he approached the coaching staff about playing football for the Bulldogs. He redshirted his freshman season and was a scout team member for his first two seasons at Georgia. In the next three seasons, he played in 33 games but started only six before 2024. Jackson kept working his way up, and this past season, he played in all 13 games, making 12 starts for the Bulldogs with 64 tackles, two for loss, two interceptions, three passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Jackson was a special teams ace and two-high safety for the Bulldogs defense, using his wealth of playing experience to his advantage. He quickly reacts to recognizing gaps opening up between tackles and can get downhill quickly. He needs to avoid leading with his shoulder pads when tackling, but he will look to make a point when coming downhill. He can be overly aggressive when pursuing runs outside the tackles and make poor pursuit decisions that allow the ball carrier into open space. The willingness to consistently play against the run is a hallmark of his work ethic.
He uses that same quick trigger to jump on in-breaking routes and limit yards after the catch over the middle of the field. He’s a smart zone defender who can rotate and get depth in his backpedal, but a slight hitch in his change of direction can put him in a tough coverage position. He quickly reads the quarterback’s release and intention, which helps put him in good positions to make tackles. Best in zone, Jackson plays tough against bigger receivers in man coverage but lacks the man coverage tools in anticipation, quick lateral movements, and turn and run speed to play in the nickel. He flashes good ball skills when in zone with quick reactions to snag a football every now and then, but his effort will break up passes as well.
Jackson projects as a core special-teamer with two-high safety flexibility, but his lack of athleticism and deep speed will limit his impact at the next level. The work ethic and football IQ will get him on an NFL roster and keep him there.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Daniel Harms
Exposures: Auburn (2024), Alabama (2024), Ole Miss (2024), Notre Dame (2024)
