  Photo provided by: CCS Da Boot Sports 7/30/2024 Courtesy of: Crescent City Sports By: Renee Nadeau New Orleans Saints fans routinely scan the preseason roster annually to debate with friends about which player could emerge to overcome great odds, earn a spot and seemingly make a splash during the upcoming season. One undrafted rookie wide receiver and return specialist, Jermaine Jackson, may just fit the profile. Particularly with the newly adopted NFL special team rules that have completely changed kickoffs, the door springs open for players with Jackson’s skills. As a receiver who rarely drops a pass even during practice, Jackson is also capable of making difficult catches. In 29 contests while at Idaho, he latched onto 109 passes for 1,672 yards and six touchdowns. However, it’s the return skills that set him apart. Jackson recorded 36 punt returns for a 15.7 average and three scores, adding 23 kick returns with a 30-yard average and one score. During the 2023 campaign with the Vandals, the native of Oakland, California had two punt return touchdowns of 79 and 86 yards against Southern Illinois. Jackson was ranked 4th in the nation among punt returners with an impressive 18.4-yard average last year. In 2022, he had a 79-yarder for a score against Drake. Against Southeastern Louisiana in the FCS playoffs, he had a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown. The Saints scouting department recognized great potential, offering $150,000 in guarantees with a $10,000 signing bonus following the 2024 NFL Draft. That’s a good sign for Jackson since the team has recently hit on a pair of undrafted rookie free agents, Deonte Harty and Rashid Shaheed, who both earned first team All-Pro honors as return specialists. The success of his predecessors factored into Jackson’s final call to sign with the Saints following the draft. “Yes, I was aware of the returners that came through before me, like Deonte Harty and Rashid Shaheed,” the 24-year-old rookie explained. “That played a part, plus (special teams coordinator) Darren Rizzi does a great job with special teams. We had a great (pre-draft) meeting. I thought that he could set me up to be successful.” There is no time like the present to be a return specialist in the league, with the new rules offering talents like Jackson a chance to showcase those skills. “That is a great opportunity for returners. You want to take advantage of having an extra play to be on the field. It will be a huge thing for returners,” Jackson noted. During the 2021 season, Jackson opted to take a kickoff out of the end zone against Eastern Michigan. During the play, he took a hit on his knee, suffering a torn ACL and MCL. He didn’t fret, turning a potential career-ending injury into a six-month setback that did not affect his ability to run, cut or make people miss. The pitfalls of being a return specialist require a certain mindset to be overcome. It’s not for the faint of heart. Kickoffs require full speed reckless abandon. “You’ve got to feel like you’re running through fire,” he explained. “Once you get through the (first wave), you’re good. You just run as fast as you can, find a crease and hit it as fast as you can.” In the NFL when it comes to punts, you have to makes things happen once you secure the ball. Often times, it’s a split-second action that makes all the difference. “Catch the ball, square up and make the first guy miss. It will be a big step up making guys miss. I want to see how I can improve in that area. I feel like I’ve got football speed.” Listed at 5-7, 170, Jackson knows his size has been a hurdle he’s had to overcome throughout his career so he lives by the motto, ‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog’. “It affected me in recruiting,” said Jackson about his stature. “I try to use my height as an advantage. I try to be explosive and be as quick as possible, using it as an advantage. I feel like I’ve been doing a pretty good job.” Jermaine cites a 10-year NFL veteran who is similar in size. De’Andre Carter, who arrived in the NFL as a 5-8, 190-pound undrafted product of Sacramento State, has accumulated 108 career catches for 1,259 yards, 99 yards rushing and 3,940 return yards with seven total touchdowns. One of his scores was a 101-yard kick return back in 2021 to help Washington overtake Atlanta, 34-30. “De’Andre Carter is like a mentor to me. A lot of people compare me to him. I model my game after him.” Jackson has been an easy player to root for during his career, having succeeded both on and off the field. “I love him,” Idaho head football coach Jason Eck told the Spokesman-Review during the 2023 campaign. “He works tremendously hard. He is one of our hardest workers, and he takes a lot of leadership responsibilities on our offense. He is well respected by his teammates and one of our first ballot team captains. He’s a tough kid. He is a tough-minded kid.” The more you can do, the better your chances are to make the team. Jackson feels his contributions should not be limited to special teams only, confident in his ability as a wide receiver. “I definitely feel that I can help in the (receiver) room. I can be a deep threat, beating defenders downfield, catching those deep over-the-shoulder balls. That’s been my thing. Putting on some double moves. I’m excited to see how they can implement me into the offense, how they use me.” Lining up in the slot for offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak may be an ideal fit. He won’t shy away from the position’s physical demands. “The slot is a spot I’m used to playing. You get a lot of opportunities there. You usually get a matchup with a safety or a linebacker. My blocking, you have to take on those guys. That’s been a big thing for me. I utilize my speed in routes. I try to get a matchup on a safety and use double moves to get open,” Jackson detailed. After making a football name for himself out West, Jackson hopes to enjoy wearing the Black and Gold down south for awhile. “I feel like the Saints show a lot of love. I can’t wait to show out for the Who Dat Nation.” John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior) *John 3;16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. A huge Thank You to Cardio Health Solutions owned by Ron Sancho for sponsoring and believing in our publication!
CARDIO HEALTH SOLUTIONS The company who cares for your heart and what your heart cares for!! Cardio Health Solutions (CHS) utilizes PET and CPET technology to detect all forms of cardiovascular disease even in its earliest stage. We also provide financing, support, and management services to practices interested in exploring the functional capacity of their patients through detection and ancillary imaging. GEAUX to https://www.cardiohealthsolutions.net/ for more information, or call 1-800-578-0654 
DA BOOT SPORTS SUPPORTS AUTISM SPEAKS
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
December 2024
|
RSS Feed