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One of the leaders on Miami’s fast and furious stop unit in 2018 has decided to try his luck at the NFL, making the move to chase his dream by leaving school a year early.
Joe Jackson has been a force on the Canes defensive line for all three of his seasons with the team. After coming off the bench as a pass-rushing specialist as a true freshman and recording 8.5 sacks, Jackson morphed into an every down, full-time starter as a sophomore in 2017. Jackson tallied a career-high 14.5 TFL and 9 sacks last season as a junior, and was also an All-ACC honorable mention. He may have been most remembered in 2018 for his big 42 yard pick six against UNC, scoring one of UM’s record-setting three defensive TD’s on the night.
In his career, Jackson was at his best against UM’s biggest rival, recording a sack in each game against FSU and totaling 4.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks in total versus the Noles. He leaves the Canes tied for fourth with Jamaal Green on UM’s all-time sacks list with 24.
Pre-Draft Measurables
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 275 pounds
Arms: 34 1/8”
Hands: 10”
Bench Press: 22 Reps
Vert. Jump: 27”
Broad Jump: 108”
Strengths
Power
Jackson is a naturally powerful force that is well-built in his upper body. He rushes in with brute strength in passing situations and can anchor the edge in the run game. In fact, he steadily improved every year holding up against the run while maintaining his pass rush abilities, and he is very adept at holding his ground at the point of attack. His play strength is ready to be an every down 4-3 end in the league.
Length
The potential is there with his lanky arms. There is a lot for a coach to work with when considering his wingspan and he does show the ability to punch a blocker center chest and burst around the edge. He knocked down three passes at the line as junior and has the length to disrupt passing lanes.
Weaknesses
Fluidity
Jackson plays a little too tight in his hips and is lacking in bend around the edge. You would like to see more flexibility for someone so athletic and he can play stiff and upright at times. Has heavy feet and lacks range as a tackler in space.
Secondary Pass Rush Moves
Doesn’t always use his hands well to create separation and relies too much on quickness off the snap. He can get snatched up in his rush if he doesn’t win his rep from the jump and can be slow to get off blocks at times. Doesn’t really have a reliable counter move if he is beaten initially.
Draft Projection: 3rd-5th round
Jackson left school early and hoped to raise his stock in the pre-draft workouts to where he’d be considered a solid 2nd round pick, but that didn’t happen. However, scouts love him as an upside pick in the mid-rounds. From an anonymous AFC scout: "You draft big, strong guys and then you let the coaches bring the rest of it out. He's the physical prototype and he's going to get a lot better as a rusher. I love the upside." While he may not go as high as he hoped, he won’t fall too far on draft day due to his tantalizing potential and he is a guy that could easily make a team look very smart in a few years.
Joe Jackson has been a force on the Canes defensive line for all three of his seasons with the team. After coming off the bench as a pass-rushing specialist as a true freshman and recording 8.5 sacks, Jackson morphed into an every down, full-time starter as a sophomore in 2017. Jackson tallied a career-high 14.5 TFL and 9 sacks last season as a junior, and was also an All-ACC honorable mention. He may have been most remembered in 2018 for his big 42 yard pick six against UNC, scoring one of UM’s record-setting three defensive TD’s on the night.
In his career, Jackson was at his best against UM’s biggest rival, recording a sack in each game against FSU and totaling 4.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks in total versus the Noles. He leaves the Canes tied for fourth with Jamaal Green on UM’s all-time sacks list with 24.
Pre-Draft Measurables
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 275 pounds
Arms: 34 1/8”
Hands: 10”
Bench Press: 22 Reps
Vert. Jump: 27”
Broad Jump: 108”
Strengths
Power
Jackson is a naturally powerful force that is well-built in his upper body. He rushes in with brute strength in passing situations and can anchor the edge in the run game. In fact, he steadily improved every year holding up against the run while maintaining his pass rush abilities, and he is very adept at holding his ground at the point of attack. His play strength is ready to be an every down 4-3 end in the league.
Length
The potential is there with his lanky arms. There is a lot for a coach to work with when considering his wingspan and he does show the ability to punch a blocker center chest and burst around the edge. He knocked down three passes at the line as junior and has the length to disrupt passing lanes.
Weaknesses
Fluidity
Jackson plays a little too tight in his hips and is lacking in bend around the edge. You would like to see more flexibility for someone so athletic and he can play stiff and upright at times. Has heavy feet and lacks range as a tackler in space.
Secondary Pass Rush Moves
Doesn’t always use his hands well to create separation and relies too much on quickness off the snap. He can get snatched up in his rush if he doesn’t win his rep from the jump and can be slow to get off blocks at times. Doesn’t really have a reliable counter move if he is beaten initially.
Draft Projection: 3rd-5th round
Jackson left school early and hoped to raise his stock in the pre-draft workouts to where he’d be considered a solid 2nd round pick, but that didn’t happen. However, scouts love him as an upside pick in the mid-rounds. From an anonymous AFC scout: "You draft big, strong guys and then you let the coaches bring the rest of it out. He's the physical prototype and he's going to get a lot better as a rusher. I love the upside." While he may not go as high as he hoped, he won’t fall too far on draft day due to his tantalizing potential and he is a guy that could easily make a team look very smart in a few years.
