Jackson eager for NFL Draft
By BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Saturday, Apr 21, 2007 - 12:10:30 am CDT
Brandon Jackson has been timed, tested, quizzed, interviewed and observed. He’s traveled across the country, visiting with coaches from several NFL teams. He’s done the combines and the pro days.
So a week before the NFL Draft, you’d think the former Nebraska running back would have a vague idea where he’ll land.
You’d be wrong. “I don’t know what to expect,” Jackson said Friday from his hometown of Horn Lake, Miss. “They’re just saying, ‘We hope you’re still there when it comes to our pick.’ They’re not saying anything else after that.”
The NFL Draft begins a week from Saturday, and Jackson is regarded by many draft experts as a third-round selection. ESPN.com writes that Jackson is one of the more underrated prospects who could become a steal in the second round. He’s rated as the sixth-best running back, behind Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson, California’s Marshawn Lynch, Auburn’s Kenny Irons, Ohio State’s Antonio Pittman and Florida State’s Lorenzo Booker.
Whatever. Jackson would prefer to simply have the process complete and be gainfully employed.
“It’s been real up and down,” said Jackson, who’s been home working out the past week. “I haven’t had much time to relax or spend time with my family because I’ve been on the road a lot.”
Among the NFL teams Jackson said he’s visited are Dallas, Kansas City, Denver and Tampa Bay. A recent scheduled trip to Cleveland was canceled because of snow.
Jackson said he’s received favorable reviews, noting that teams like his speed and ability to make people miss. At Nebraska’s pro day in early March, Jackson said he was timed at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash — a marked improvement from his :04.57 at the February NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Playing in Bill Callahan’s West Coast offense also prepared Jackson from a play-knowledge standpoint. Jackson said Denver running backs coach Bobby Turner, in particular, was impressed with Jackson’s familiarity with the Broncos’ system.
As for weaknesses, Jackson said he’s not received much feedback but added, “I can get better at everything.”
While the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Jackson could gain a few pounds, he can’t change the past. ESPN.com notes that Jackson, who wasn’t a regular starter last season until Nebraska’s fifth game, hasn’t proven himself as an every-down back.
Even in his final collegiate game — the Huskers’ Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl loss to Auburn — Jackson had only seven carries for 38 yards. He played with a splint on a hand he’d broken a month earlier in the Big 12 Championship Game.
“I wish I would’ve got more time in there (in the Cotton Bowl), but I guess the coaches thought otherwise,” said Jackson, who ran for 989 yards (5.3 per carry) his junior season. “But I had fun. I was out there with the team to help them (try to) win.”
Two weeks later, Jackson announced he was bypassing his senior season to enter the NFL Draft. The last Nebraska running back who declared early was Ahman Green, a third-round pick in the 1998 draft.
Nebraska hasn’t had a running back drafted since Correll Buckhalter and Dan Alexander were selected in 2001.
“I had the chance to play on the pro level,” Jackson said, “and I felt like I was ready to leave.”
Last season, Jackson emerged from a deep group of running backs that Nebraska coaches delicately managed. Since his departure, that group has been beset by injuries. Jackson, though, said he hasn’t second-guessed his decision.
“I’m very satisfied,” he said.
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or
brosenthal@journalstar.com.
