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The deepest group of talent in the 2017 NFL Draft was on display as the defensive backs electrified the field in Indianapolis on the final day of the NFL Scouting Combine with hopes of creating separation.
Amongst the cornerbacks and safeties was USC Trojans junior cornerback and 2016 Jim Thorpe Award winner Adoree’ Jackson—who unequivocally set himself apart from the middle tier corners, and solidified his position as a bonafide first-round pick.
Measurements: 5'10″ | 186 lbs | 31 3/8” arms | 9 ¼’ hands
Vertical jump: 36.0″
Broad: 122″
40 Yard Dash: 4.42
Initially clocked in at a 4.39, Jackson’s 40-yard dash time was still among the fastest at the Combine. Jackson’s vertical and broad jumps might come off as “disappointing” for some, but his tape and remaining measurables confirm his elite-level athleticism.
Minus a few miscues early in the defensive back drills, Jackson shined through as he showed off his fluid mobility and quick change of direction—a typical site from the Trojan playmaker...
Once a five-star recruit out of Junipero Serra, Jackson made his mark at USC as a multiple-faceted athlete who dominated all three phases of the football game in addition to dominating the track and field arenas.
As a track star, Jackson is a two-time All-American as well as well as two-time Pac-12 champion in the long jump. As a sprinter, Jackson has a career best of 10.38 in the 100-meter dash and a 21.08 in the 200-meter.
Jackson’s career at USC was full of spectacular plays on offense, defense and returning. On defense, Jackson has three-year total of five interceptions, on offense he caught 38 passes for 604 yards and six touchdowns—all the while returning a total of eight touchdowns on special teams.
A highly-versatile athlete, Jackson noticeably improved his coverage skills in his junior year, as he grew more aggressive on defending the pass, and showed a greater ability to recover on initial missteps. Always a willing tackler, Jackson’s alpha-level of competitiveness saw him rarely give up on plays and was active on run-support.
With an abnormal amount of highly-talented corners and safeties in this year’s draft, Jackson has been a bit under the radar. With his reputation as a playmaker intact, Jackson is still developing the nuances of the position and is still susceptible in man coverage—especially to the newly crowned Speed King.
Jackson doesn’t have the natural instincts for the position, as he is often caught out of position and will need a patient coaching staff at the next level to harbor his skills.
With measurable similar to Minnesota Viking’s Terence Newman according to NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks, Jackson’s overall game actual mirrors that of Newman.
Selected by the Dallas Cowboys 5th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft, 2003 Jim Thorpe winner Terence Newman was known as an exciting playmaker and returner at Kansas State, in addition to being an All-American and All-Big 12 in track in the 100- and 200-meter dash.
Both players have similar paths and measurables, however Newman was a 25-year-old rookie and Jackson will be 21 years old on his first professional game—giving optimism that with time, Jackson will develop into one of the premier playmakers in the NFL.