Rashawn Jackson, FB

The emergence of former linebackers Spencer Havner, Vonta Leach and Spencer Larsen (among others) might open the door former another former linebacker-turned-fullback to find a role in the NFL. In reality, Jackson was flipped between running back, fullback and linebacker throughout his collegiate career.

While the 2009 season was largely a disappointing one for the Cavaliers, the play of Jackson was one of the few bright spots. After rushing for only 134 yards over his first two seasons as the team's fullback, the bruising runner led the Cavaliers with 461 rushing yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Proving that he's a more than just a battering ram in the running game, Jackson also caught 25 passes for 222 yards as a senior.

Blessed with a legitimate combination of NFL size and athleticism, Jackson will rank among this crop's elite fullbacks. To be drafted as such, however, he'll need to answer questions about his October 2008 arrest for grand larceny and breaking and entering.

Inside: Has some tools to ultimately develop into a legitimate interior threat. Good quickness to and through the hole. Decisive runner who presses the line of scrimmage and keeps his legs churning after contact to gain as much yardage as possible. Keeps both hands secure around the ball when in tight quarters. Enough lateral agility to bounce outside when he sees the hole close.

Outside: A more natural runner than you might expect for a player only a few years removed from playing linebacker. Lacks the speed to beat defenders to the edge, but has enough bounce to him to generate yardage in chunks.

Breaking tackles: Tough runner who fights through initial contact and keeps his legs churning. Good forward lean to gain extra yardage.

Blocking: Good effort to get downfield. Finds his target and is athletic enough to redirect and hit him. Too often relies on his hands to make the block, showing inconsistent accuracy in his placement and not enough explosiveness. Too much of a push-blocker, rather than the human pile-driver most teams are looking for in a true lead blocker.

Receiving: Developing receiver who shows good body control to handle poorly thrown passes. Shows the ability to catch passes with just his hands, but often allows the ball into his pads. Can make the catch and take a hit without losing control. Typically only asked to sneak out of the backfield for dump offs and screens, but has the athletic ability for wheel routes.

Intangibles: Former inside linebacker who has made a successful transition to fullback for the Cavaliers. Strong special teams player with experience on kickoff return and punt coverage. Charged in October 2008 with grand larceny and breaking and entering in a November 2007 dorm incident, but charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Jackson rushed for 461 yards and two touchdowns in 2009. He finished the year averaging 4.6 yards per carry and was named the team's offensive player of the week four different times throughout the season. His best outing of the year came in a win over Maryland in which he rushed for a career-high 90 yards and a touchdown. Jackson finished his career with 595 yards on 132 carries.

Charged on October 2008 with grand larceny and breaking and entering in November 2007 dorm incident, but charges were dropped due to lack of evidence. Played in all 12 games … started only twice due to Uva using a one-back offense for the majority of the season … a regular on the kickoff return team, he also played on the punt coverage team the final 10 games of the year … was third on the team with 16 rushing attempts and fourth with 62 rushing yards … did not incur any negative rushing plays during the season … biggest game came at Duke when he carried eight times for 43 yards … caught 14 passes for 79 yards … had four catches for 26 yards at Georgia Tech.

Bruising fullback who played in 11 games, starting vs. Duke, Connecticut and Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl … finished with 20 carries for 72 yards, including a big performance in the Gator Bowl … toted the football 14 times for 52 yards vs. Red Raiders in Gator Bowl … both career highs … had 13 yards rushing vs. Duke in his first career start … four receptions for 28 yards the following week vs. North Carolina … caught a five-yard touchdown pass vs. Pittsburgh … had a nine-yard reception on the game's first play vs. Connecticut, but injured his hamstring on the play and missed the next two games.

Backup inside linebacker who saw playing time in all 12 contests, primarily on special teams … played a total of 117 snaps … had one tackle in eight separate games … three tackles in punt coverage and four in kickoff coverage … also played fullback on the goal line offense … earned his first letter.

Bruising player who began the season at running back, but was moved to linebacker midway through the season when the team got thin at the position … was in uniform for all six home games and the Music City Bowl, but did not play in a game and was redshirted.

2008: Arrested in October on grand larceny charge, which was later dropped.

2007: Arrested for breaking and entering in a dorm incident. Charge was dropped due to lack of evidence.

Bruising fullback for coach Rich Hansen at St. Peter's Prep … listed as the 3rd-best fullback in the nation by CollegeFootballNews.com and 7th-best by Rivals.com … rated 131st among all players by CollegeFootballNews.com … 3-star player by Rivals.com and Scout.com … Scout.com's No. 46 running back in the country … 67th on Scout.com's East Hot 100 list … ranked as the 8th-best player in New Jersey by Scout.com, 10th by SuperPrep and 14th by Rivals.com … his school won five consecutive conference championships … Newark Star-Ledger Player of the Year as a senior … led Hudson County in scoring with 150 points on 25 touchdowns … shared the ballcarrying duties (with fellow UVa teammate Mike Brown among others) and still ran for 938 yards on 91 carries … didn't fumble … also caught 11 passes for 113 yards … Jersey Journal All-County linebacker when he had four sacks … had 75 tackles and an interception as a junior en route to team's offensive MVP and Player of the Year honors … also participated in shot put for the track team.

Rashawn Lamont Jackson … born 1-15-87 in Jersey City, N.J. … son of Adrienne Smith … has a younger sister, Sybil Smith.