Cowboys to sign DE Toby Jackson - UCF

[Zordon]

calvinwatkins
Team won't officially sign Toby Jackson today because team officials are still trying to decide who to cut.
7/30/13 6:31 PM
clarencehilljr
Cowboys expected sign dt tony jackson, per source. Move won't happen until wed after they release a player
7/30/13 6:42 PM
nzonsports
Congrats to Kenny "Toby" Jackson, DE (UCF) signs with Dallas Cowboys......
7/30/13 9:47 PM

Toby Jackson, DE, UCF
Central Florida's site () lists the defensive-end at 6'5” and 257 pounds. Jackson's story is an interesting one. A four-star prospect coming out of high school, including a top ten defensive-end, Jackson spent his 2008 season with Hargrove Military Academy, a prep school. In 2010 he signed to Navarro College. He only spent one season with Navarro, earning a Junior College National Championship MVP on the way (against Butler, headed by now LSU Tiger Zach Mettenberger.) Again, a four-star recruit, he chose Central Florida over the likes of SEC teams, such as Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. In 2011, he played nine games for UCF, but only started two. In 2012, he was forced to sit out due to academics. Now, with all of Jackson's academic problems (having to go to prep school, then JuCo after prep school, then losing a year to academics), that's usually a tell-tale sign of either a lack of effort in the classroom or a learning problem, neither of which are good on the defensive side of the ball. Jackson did have a rebuttal to those remarks in a February interview though:

“I lost my cousin and grandfather within a three month span and that caused me to lose focus in school which ultimately led my dismissal from the UCF football team. Since then I’ve been grinding to get myself in tip top shape and pursuing my long life dream of becoming an NFL football player. ”

http://www.musiccitymiracles.com/2013/7/6/4498988/nfl-supplemental-draft-profile-toby-jackson

Jackson was a four-star strong side defensive end recruit out of high school that committed to Georgia, despite offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Miami, and USC. This highly ranked recruit was listed above former first round picks Quinton Coples, Datone Jones and Robert Quinn by Rivals.com.

This video lists Toby Jackson's would-be combine numbers at the beginning and ends with his accolades from JUCO (1st team All-American/Defensive MVP of the National Championship). In between are various highlights and plays showing his versatility as a player on defense and special teams.

The What: LDE (Left defensive end)

Jackson is listed at 265 lb. but he seems lighter on film, and as such he fits best as an LDE. Going against (generally) slow footed right tackles lets Jackson have more space on the outside to work with and he seems to have a decent combination of pass rush moves to use.

Jackson has interesting speed-to-power moves including a pure outside rush that combines with an inside arm shove to open an inside lane, and a nice swim/dip combo. While Jackson could be relegated to a special teams/pass rush package role player, I would bet that he gets a look on a team in need of more defensive end (or 3-4 OLB) depth.

​

 

[Maxmadden]

Definitely a project but he does look like he has some upside if he can get it together.

 

[Wheeltax]

He's got the physical tools. It's amazing to me how scouts locate these guys.

 

[RS12]

Jackson (6-4, 260) played in college at Central Florida. Jackson didn’t play his last season at Central Florida because of academic issues and was eligible for the NFL’s 2013 Supplemental Draft. In 2010, Jackson signed with Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, and spent only one season with Navarro, earning a junior college national championship game MVP against Butler.

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...ml/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

 

[Idgit]

This is an interesting signing. I like that we can take shots on some of these lighter, quicker DEs in this scheme. It seems like there are players out there with upside (Selvie is another) who fit what we're looking for.

This guy might become a pet cat for me in camp. I'm intrigued by his situation.

 

[xwalker]

Interesting player with upside. Being that he is unsigned by other teams, they'll probably be able to keep him on the practice squad if he shows anything.

 

[OhSnap]

This is a desperation signing. Sounds like a guy that beats himself. Maybe a pro atmosphere and some good examples to follow can get him headed in the right direction though.

 

[Deep_South]

What a great opportunity for this kid. I hope he can do something with it because we need help on the defensive line right now, at a time when even camp bodies are in training camps.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Interesting player with upside. Being that he is unsigned by other teams, they'll probably be able to keep him on the practice squad if he shows anything.

That sounds like a company line. Hopefully we aren't trolling for DL's.

 

[Tom Jones]

calvinwatkins
Team won't officially sign Toby Jackson today because team officials are still trying to decide who to cut.
7/30/13 6:31 PM
clarencehilljr
Cowboys expected sign dt tony jackson, per source. Move won't happen until wed after they release a player
7/30/13 6:42 PM
nzonsports
Congrats to Kenny "Toby" Jackson, DE (UCF) signs with Dallas Cowboys......
7/30/13 9:47 PM

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definately has the skills-very impressed with his speed

 

[Zimmy Lives]

This is an interesting signing. I like that we can take shots on some of these lighter, quicker DEs in this scheme. It seems like there are players out there with upside (Selvie is another) who fit what we're looking for.

This guy might become a pet cat for me in camp. I'm intrigued by his situation.

My biggest concern with this type player is that he may not take the mental side of the game seriously given his lack of success academically on the collegiate level.

Now if he is so athletically gifted that he just needs to run and chase then the mental side may not matter. You have to wonder, though, if this is the right kind of Garrett guy.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

This is a desperation signing. Sounds like a guy that beats himself. Maybe a pro atmosphere and some good examples to follow can get him headed in the right direction though.

This would be the most optimistic scenario. He can use a lot of direction.

 

[texbumthelife]

I like this move. I don't think it screams desperation at all. I think more accurately it says something about our scouts, talent evaluators and the continued move toward youth and athleticism under Garrett.

Lots of upside with very little risk. Sounds good to me.

 

[Zordon]

My biggest concern with this type player is that he may not take the mental side of the game seriously given his lack of success academically on the collegiate level.

Now if he is so athletically gifted that he just needs to run and chase then the mental side may not matter. You have to wonder, though, if this is the right kind of Garrett guy.

Just curious what are you worried might happen by bringing him in? What is the risk?

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Just curious what are you worried might happen by bringing him in? What is the risk?

The risk is actually fairly low. I just wonder if this guy has the right mentality/ethic to play for Garrett.

When I was in college several of my teammates skipped tutoring lessons or never went to class. They didn't care. They all had talent, more than some of my other teammates that went on to play in the NFL, but they never made it after their eligibility was up.

 

[Zordon]

The risk is actually fairly low. I just wonder if this guy has the right mentality/ethic to play for Garrett.

When I was in college several of my teammates skipped tutoring lessons or never went to class. They didn't care. They all had talent, more than some of my other teammates that went on to play in the NFL, but they never made it after their eligibility was up.

True....the thing is if you have an established culture with good internal leadership, usually guys like this can flourish in this type of environment. Also don't underestimate how $$$ can change people's work ethics. Hopefully he comes here sees how much Ware, etc. are making and that motivates him to start taking things a little more seriously. He obviously has the talent.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

True....the thing is if you have an established culture with good internal leadership, usually guys like this can flourish in this type of environment. Also don't underestimate how $$$ can change people's work ethics. Hopefully he comes here sees how much Ware, etc. are making and that motivates him to start taking things a little more seriously. He obviously has the talent.

Good way to look at it. I would love to see someone like him make it, especially if he can help the team.

 

[Zordon]

KavnerDC
Move is official. Cowboys cut Ike Igbinosun, sign Toby Jackson, one of four players to work out for the team yesterday.
7/31/13 4:52 PM

 

[unionjack8]

He's got the physical tools. It's amazing to me how scouts locate these guys.

well tbh this one was easy he was eligible for the supplemental draft last month so i am sure they had some kind of scouting report on him

 

[Westcoasthabsfan]

very low risk high reward if it works out....