28 Days to Miami football: Michael Jackson 2018 Preview

In one year, Miami cornerback Michael Jackson has gone from entering his first season as a starter to a preseason All-American. Jackson is one of three returning starters in the secondary for the Miami football team.

There are high expectations for Jackson as part of a Miami defense that returns seven starters this season. Six of those starters are in the back seven. The secondary has gone from being a question mark entering 2017 to a strength on the Miami football team entering 2018.

Jackson is on the watch lists for the Jim Thorpe Award honoring the nation’s best defensive back and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy that honors the best overall defensive player in the country.

Jackson has gotten other recognition as one of the best cornerbacks in the ACC and the country. Jackson and safety Jaquan Johnson form the nucleus that arguably gives the Miami football team the best secondary in the ACC. Jackson and Johnson are both first-team preseason All-ACC and UPI first-team All-Americans.

Jackson had a breakout season in 2017 as a Junior. One of the last players from Al Golden’s final recruiting class had 43 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Jackson’s four interceptions tied Johnson for the Miami team lead.

Jackson also made an impact as a backup during his Sophomore season in 2016. The standout from Birmingham, Alabama contributed seven tackles, a pass breakup and returned a fumble for a touchdown at Notre Dame.

Miami Cornerbacks Coach Mike Rumph spoke to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald about Michael Jackson. The first thing that Rumph discussed was Jackson’s decision to return for his Senior season after pondering entering the 2018 NFL Draft. Rumph was also asked what position that Jackson could play in the NFL.

"“We feared it because he wanted to know his draft status…He made a great decision to come back. Mike is a physical specimen, tremendous tackler, has a great knack against the deep ball.I’m challenging him to take it to the next level and to understand what’s going to happen before it happens. He’s been watching film three times a week and asking a lot of questions.I went to the league and ended as a safety and nickel…Some schemes he’s a safety and some schemes he’s a corner.”"

Jackson is currently projected as the top cornerback for the 2019 NFL Draft by NFL Draft Scout. It’s amazing development for a player who was entering his first season as a starter a year ago. He was also rated as the sixth-best cornerback in the country by the College Football News entering 2018

A pair of prominent mock drafts have Jackson being selected in the first round next May. Dan Kadar of SB Nation has Jackson going 19th to Houston and the Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has Jackson going 18th to Seattle. Miller is one of the most thorough draft analysts. He is very high on Jackson.

"“Jackson and his 6’2″, 200-pound frame are perfect for the system, and his play has him ready for a big role early on…Given his size and projected speed, it’s fair to see him as a future first-rounder and a great fit for Pete Carroll’s team.Carroll and his staff just need to turn on the Syracuse tape (two interceptions) if they want to see Jackson in action looking like a top-20 pick.”"

Jackson proved he is an all-around player last season. His 43 tackles tied him for eighth on the Miami football team. Jackson had at least four tackles in six games in 2017. His tackling ability is one reason that NFL Scouts are so high on him.

Jackson’s size allows him to be able to cover bigger receivers. He will be tested in practice every day. The Miami football team has eight scholarship wide receivers 6’1 or taller.