Bleacher Report NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller praised former Miami Hurricanes cornerback Michael Jackson as one of the biggest winners during the week of practice before the NFLPA Bowl and East-West Shrine games this week.
Michael Jackson had two outstanding seasons for the Miami Hurricanes after becoming a starting cornerback as a Junior in 2017. Jackson finished his Miami career with 97 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown.
Jackson missed the Shrine Game due to undisclosed injury according to David Wilson of the Miami Herald. The College All-Star games are secondary to what happens during practice. Many NFL Scouts fly in for the week of practice and leave before the games are played.
Jackson’s impressive play during the week of practice has increased his draft stock according to Miller. He could be one of the first cornerbacks taken during the NFL Draft this Spring. In 2017 Jackson was the toughest cornerbacks to throw against in the ACC. He allowed a 19.7 passer rating on throws to receivers he was covering.
Kickoff at the East-West Shrine Game is coming up in about 10 minutes. Tyree St. Louis is wearing No. 78 for the East. Michael Jackson is apparently out with an injury. Game is on NFL Network. pic.twitter.com/D5iO5nYsBG
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) January 19, 2019
Jackson teamed with Trajan Bandy to give the Miami Hurricanes one of the best cornerback tandems in the nation in 2018. The Hurricanes led the nation in pass defense this past season. They allowed just 135.6 passing yards per game.
The Hurricanes were also first in passing efficiency against at 101.39 and tied for second, ironically with Temple, allowing 5.6 yards per attempt. Jackson will be one of the toughest players to replace on the Miami defense in 2019. Miller praises his all-around game.
"“NFL scouts are attracted to versatility, and one of the better defensive backs through Shrine practices has been one who could line up at safety or cornerback in the NFL.Miami’s Michael Jackson has the frame for it at 6’1″ and 207 pounds. He can line up on the boundary and get in the face of receivers or play the middle of the field. One big question is whether his speed will play at the next level—something one scout texted this week to note was a concern on the practice fields.If Jackson’s limited speed through transitions prevents him from being a starting-caliber cornerback, teams should look to move him to free safety. His length and instincts are true selling points.He’s also scheme-versatile in addition to his potential positional flexibility. As a possible nickel—where size near the line of scrimmage and short-area coverage skills are important—Jackson has a future.”"
Jackson worked hard to skyrocket up the rankings from where he was coming out of high school. The former three-star signee was the nation’s 572nd ranked player overall, the 56th ranked cornerback and 19th ranked player in Alabama in the Class of 2015. Jackson was one of the last Miami players left from Al Golden’s final class.
Jackson, Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine will hand the torch leading the secondary to Bandy for next season and potentially 2020. Rising Sophomores Al Blades and Gilbert Frierson are likely to battle to be the starter opposite Bandy in 2019. Their classmates D.J. Ivey and Nigel Bethel also figure to be in the mix.