Senior Demetrius Jackson is part of a deep and talented defensive line on the Miami football team. Demetrius Jackson and Joe Jackson will be the starters at defensive end.
Two-thirds of the Miami football Jackson three with cornerback Michael, Joe and Demetrius will be backed up by Sophomore Jonathan Garvin, Scott Patchan and Freshman Gregory Rousseau who wrecked havoc on the Miami offensive line this spring.
Jackson was having an outstanding Junior year before suffering a season-ending injury. Jackson was sidelined for the remainder of 2017 on November 4 against Virginia Tech with a torn MCL in his right knee. Jackson had 18 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two pass breakups last season.
Demetrius Jackson played ten games in 2016 with six starts. He had 28 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and four pass breakups. He also contributed as a redshirt freshman in 2015. Jackson finished that season with 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Demetrius Jackson redshirted in his True Freshman season in 2014. Jackson played high school football at legendary Booker T. Washington in Miami.
Jackson is known as much for what he does off the field as on it. He was recently named to the watch list for the Wuerrfel Trophy. The Wuerrfel Trophy is awarded to, according to the Wurrfel Trophy’s website “(the) FBS player (who) combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement”
Jackson earned his way on to the Wuerrfel watchlist, according to the Miami Herald, by serving as a mentor at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami and in his Overtown neighborhood and organizing an annual turkey drive before Thanksgiving.
In a preview of the 2018 season, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson spoke to some of the Hurricanes position coaches and staff. The Miami Football team’s Director of Player Development and former Hurricanes center Joel Rodriguez discussed what Demetrius Jackson brings to the table on the defensive line.
"“D-Jax is a very aggressive, very physical, heavy-handed player, but he doesn’t have the natural length or levers that Joe Jackson has. D-Jax overcomes some of the physical limitations with effort and physical aggression.””"
Demetrius is one of three Seniors that the Miami football team will have on their defensive line this season. He is the only Senior that played in 2017. Gerald Willis took a leave of absence from playing in 2016. Tito Odenigbo is a Graduate Transfer from Illinois.
Demetrius Jackson took a page out from Mike Singletary in the Chicago Bears Super Bowl Shuffle and was “part of the defense big and bold.” He’s not quite like former teammate Chad Thomas who has “been jammin’ for quite a while.”
However, Demetrius did predict that the Hurricanes would play Clemson again in the ACC Championship game this season. That is a big and bold prediction.
Video Courtesy of the Miami Herald.
Jackson elaborated to the Herald on playing Clemson during last season’s ACC Championship game during a charity appearance last month.
"“No disrespect to Clemson…they didn’t do anything spectacular. They’ve just been there before. They just came and played ball. And I think we didn’t. It was our first time there. We got a little star-struck and gazed, like, ‘Whoa, we’re here.’ But that’s not the goal. The goal is to get there and win it.…Let’s not be star-struck. We were just knocking on the door last year. This time we’re looking for us to get in that door.”"
Jackson missed both the ACC Championship game against the Tigers and the Orange Bowl loss to Wisconsin last season while recovering from the torn MCL in his right knee. Having Jackson healthy this season is a huge plus for the Hurricanes defensive line.
As the only Senior returning up front from the 2017 defensive line. The bookend Jacksons at defensive end will lead what is mostly new rotation up front.
Miami also has the first coaching change of the Mark Richt era with the Miami football program. Jess Simpson is the new defensive line coach replacing Craig Kuligowski who left to take the same position at Alabama.