Miami Hurricanes CB Michael Jackson best CFB defender per ESPN

Earlier this week ESPN College Football analyst and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho named Miami Hurricanes cornerback Michael Jackson as his preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Acho went in his words “off the wall” in referring to his selection of Jackson as the best and most exciting player in College Football. It’s difficult to know if he was being serious with his selection of Jackson. In his monologue explaining why he chose the Miami Hurricanes Senior cornerback, Acho referenced many Michael Jackson songs.

Jackson is one of the numerous players on the Miami Hurricanes defense singled out ahead of the 2018 season on trophy and award watch lists. The Senior corner is on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy honoring the nation’s best defensive player and the Jim Thorpe Award that goes to the best defensive back in the country.

Jackson has also been named to a few All-ACC and All-America preseason teams for 2018. With fellow Seniors, Safties Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine the Hurricanes will have an experienced secondary this season.

Acho fit as many Michael Jackson songs into a 38 second sound bite as he could. His full statement was almost like an add for a tribute to the King of Pop.

"“I’m gonna go off the wall with this one. I’m going with Michael Jackson defensive back from the U, the University of Miami. I know you all remember the time he had an interception versus Florida State, two weeks later versus Syracuse.When it comes to being a ball hawk, stealing the ball from the offense he’s the Smoothest Criminal of them all. He doesn’t stop until he gets enough. His position in the Miami defense is bound to be a Thriller.”"

Acho played college football at Texas from 2008-11 where he was a dominant linebacker. He finished his career with 240 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions including one pick-six, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

As a Senior Acho had 110 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, all six of his pass breakups and one forced fumble. Acho earned first-team All Big XII for his performance.

Acho’s Defensive Coordinator as a Senior was current Miami Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz. As with the current Miami Hurricanes defense, the 2011 Texas defense was adept at forcing turnovers.

Texas finished 2011 37th in the nation forcing turnovers, 59th in interceptions and 25th in fumble recoveries. The 2011 Longhorns had seven games with two or more turnovers and three each with two or more interceptions and two or more fumble recoveries.

Acho and current Miami cornerbacks coach Ephraim Banda missed each other by a year at Texas. Diaz was the one that hired Banda as an assistant. Acho and Banda exchanged some banter regarding Acho’s bold prediction. Acho responded to his own tweet and called out some of the Miami Hurricanes Coaching Staff.

Banda was appreciative of Acho’s sentiment.

Acho had the other two analysts Greg McElroy and David Pollack laughing during his observation of the Hurricanes own King of Pop. They both have their own connections to Acho’s comments. Pollack played for Miami Head Coach Mark Richt at Georgia. McElroy was the analyst for the Miami-FSU game when Jackson had the one pick.

Acho and his brother Sam who currently plays for the Chicago Bears bring great personalities to football. They are both extremely intelligent, funny and reverent. Emmanuel is well on his way to a great career as a broadcaster. Sam will also likely become a TV personality when he retires if he so chooses.