The preseason is a lifeline for unheralded players across the spectrum from undrafted free agents to veterans looking for one last shot. While most never make it to a 53-man roster, others break onto the scene and establish a path to potential stardom. This year, Buccaneers Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix believes that undrafted Bucs linebacker Nick Jackson has showcased exactly the type of “electric surge” that could secure him a roster spot one week from today.
Jackson’s Preseason Performance is Grabbing the Attention of the Bucs and a Former 11-Year NFL Veteran
During the first two weeks of the preseason, Nick Jackson has turned in several highly-productive performances. During Week One, Jackson provided a jolt with six tackles (two for loss), a sack, a quarterback hit, one pass breakup and a stellar one-handed interception.
He then followed that up with an impressive performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording three tackles and yet another sack. Only two players have more sacks so far. Second-year defensive end Austin Booker leads all players with 4.0 sacks and sixth-year linebacker Anfernee Jennings trails just behind with 3.0 sacks.
According to Dix, Jackson is now in position to fight for a “coveted spot” on the Bucs’ 53-man roster. After putting on a “sensational show” during the first two weeks, Dix wrote that he has “created an electric spark.”
“He is rangy and instinctive with the athleticism to play in space as a drop defender,” Dix wrote. “Jackson effectively locates the ball and reacts at the second level. He has turned heads with flashy plays throughout the offseason workout program and has taken advantage of reps.”
Last week, former 11-year NFL veteran and one of the best analysts in the media landscape, Brian Baldinger, posted a video praising Jackson’s performance. Baldinger wrote the following caption:
@Buccaneers UDFA, Nick Jackson, did what you have to do when you are undrafted! He got himself noticed with some splash plays. Received valuable PT and made best of it. #BaldysBreakdowns
Jackson is Grateful for the Guidance of Bucs Veterans
As an undrafted free agent, Jackson has already defied the odds by surviving the preseason cut down to 90 players. Now, with just one week until final roster cuts, Jackson expressed his gratitude for the Bucs coaching staff and veterans.
“I am just grateful to the coaching staff and the calls that we have been making,” Jackson said. “It really starts up front with the defensive line and the defensive backs and those guys have done a good job of holding shells and getting movement up front and it is just an honor really to be here and to play behind those guys and to play with those guys.”
As an off-ball linebacker, Jackson has taken advantage of the invaluable opportunity to ‘pick the brains’ of several veterans. He went out of his way to highlight the impact of Lavonte David, Anthony Walker Jr. and Deion Jones. With over 400 games played between them, Jackson is in a great position to learn from each of the Bucs’ veterans.
Jackson noted that each of those three have taken him under their wing and mentored him in what it takes to survive the NFL.
“Lavonte, I cannot express how much he has meant to me and my development,” Jackson said. Every single day I just kind of ask him questions and what he sees, or he will look over at me and tell me little things about my feet, my eyes, my hands and Anthony Walker and Deion Jones, they are the same way.
With veteran guidance like that, it should be no surprise that Jackson is impressing during the preseason. If he can make more impact plays during the preseason finale on Saturday, he could defy the odds and secure a spot on the Bucs roster.
Bucs Rookie Turning Heads With ‘Electric Surge’ During Preseason