While Jackson played strictly as a cornerback throughout his collegiate career, many experts feel that he is more ideally suited for free safety at the professional level. Because of his good effort in pursuit, range and ability to play inside the box in run support, an adjustment to safety should be a smooth one for this talented athlete. As a senior, half of his tackles came in run support and he also demonstrated solid zone coverage ability.

Jackson was a Prep Star All-Atlantic Region honorable mention and rated the 21st-best player in the Mid-Atlantic by Super Prep as a senior at Bullis School. He was a two-time first-team All-State selection, three-time All-Metro honoree and four-time first-team All-County, playing on two league championship teams.

Jackson was named the team's Most Valuable Player after recording 15 touchdowns, 483 yards receiving, 1,132 yards rushing, four interceptions, 78 tackles and two sacks as a senior team captain. He registered 60 tackles, had three interceptions and broke up 19 passes as a junior, winning the team's Defensive Player of the Year Award.

As a sophomore, Jackson received the team's Coaches Award. For his career, he set a school record with 19 interceptions. He collected 252 tackles, 3,121 yards rushing and 1,007 receiving yards while scoring 39 times. He was also a member of the school's Multicultural Student Union.

Jackson enrolled at Syracuse in 2003, appearing in eleven games as a reserve cornerback.

While seeing action mostly on special teams, he posted five solo tackles. The following season, he started eleven games at left cornerback, sitting out vs. Rutgers after he was stabbed in the chest during an altercation at a school party (jumped in to protect an ex-teammate). He finished sixth on the team with 56 tackles (45 solos), as he recovered a fumble, deflected four passes and intercepted two others.

As a junior, Jackson started all eleven games at left corner, despite playing the second half of the year wearing a harness to protect a left shoulder dislocation suffered in the Cincinnati clash. He collected 42 tackles (31 solos) with 2.5 stops for losses and a fumble recovery. He also picked off a pass and batted away six others.

Jackson earned All-Big East Conference second team honors as a senior in 2006. He was in on 62 tackles (47 solos), 2.5 sacks and 4.5 stops for losses from his left cornerback position. He caused two fumbles and recovered two fumbles while also knocking down six passes and intercepting another.

In 45 games at Syracuse, Jackson started the final 34 games he appeared in. He totaled 165 tackles (128 solos) with 2.5 sacks for minus 29 yards and 8.5 stops for losses of 38 yards. He caused two fumbles and recovered four others for 16 yards in returns. The left cornerback gained 43 yards on five interception returns (8.6 avg), deflected fourteen passes and recovered one onside kickoff.

Positives: Has a lean, angular frame with adequate upper body muscle development, good lower body thickness, good bubble and loose hips … Smart, alert player who is generally in position to make the tackle … Has the lateral agility and redirection skills to flip his hips and redirect to the play with no wasted motion … Breaks to the ball in an instant once he locates it, showing suddenness and good urgency to make plays in front of him … Vocal team leader who plays with good aggression, not hesitating to stick his hat into the pile in attempts to plug the rush lanes (see 2006 Illinois and Louisville games) … Puts in the extra hours in the weight room to improve his overall strength … His with good pop on contact and is strong enough to jar the ball loose when attacking ball carriers (see 2006 Louisville and Wake Forest games) … Has the speed and slanting agility to get down field in a hurry to break up the protection while acting as a gunner/safety on the special teams coverage units … Quick to locate the ball when on the move and is very decisive in his reading keys and reacting to the situation.

Has a knack for finding the football in a crowd and the vision to see the ball in flight … Shows good knee bends and opens his hips well to transition quickly and make clean, sharp breaks to the ball … Maintains good position on the receiver in short-to-intermediate area man coverage, but lacks timed speed to stay on his man in long routes … Uses his hands effectively to press and his ability to reroute tight ends and backs makes him a better fit for safety (also due to lack of blazing speed needed to play corner at the next level) … Shows good turnover with his feel when pedaling and comes out of his breaks with no wasted steps … His hip swivel and good body control are evident in transition … Very physical when jamming and rerouting the receiver, showing good open field aggression to impede the route's progression … Has the ability to get a good jump on the ball playing in the zone and close on the underneath receivers in a hurry … Smooth runner who builds his acceleration nicely (just lacks a sudden burst).

Stays low in his pads and keeps his shoulders squared, drilling his hat into the ball carrier in attempts to dislodge the ball in run support … Can come down and fit, using his hands efficiently to disengage from blocks … Plays with good urgency to limit the ball carrier's chance of gaining yardage by being conscious to attack the outer leg … Will miss a few tackles when he gets too reckless in his play, but is quick to re-direct and get back into the action … Effective wrap-up tackler, who uses his lower body strength to stick his foot in the ground and anchor to neutralize the lead block and fill the rush lane … Lacks natural hands, but uses his reach to work around the receiver and deflect the pass.

Negatives: More quick than fast and while he can make plays in the short-to-intermediate areas, he does have deep coverage limitations due to his timed speed … Better attacking the man than the ball, as he has marginal hands to make the interception … Has had a few incidents away from the game (stabbed in 2004, suspended for team rules violation prior to the 2006 season) … Knows he is incapable of securing the ball as a pass catcher, but makes a good effort to deflect the pass to compensate for this deficiency … Physical tackler when he makes contact, but flies to the ball without getting into position and then tries to arm tackle or ankle bite with little success … Despite his physical nature, he lacks the upper body strength to split double teams (stronger in his lower body than upper) … Gets a good break on the ball, but seems to lack the ability to track the ball over his outside shoulder (doesn't get his head turned around well).

Compares To: ANTHONY SMITH-Pittsburgh … Like his former Syracuse teammate, Jackson plays as if he's on a "search and destroy" mission. He does a good job of run containment, but will get a bit reckless in his pursuit and out-run the ball at times. He is very alert playing in the zone, keeping the action in the short-to-intermediate area. He will be a better fit at safety than cornerback, as he lacks timed speed to stay on the long routes and seems to like attacking the ball rather than stay in man coverage.

Started each of the team's last 23 games and closed out his career with a string of 34 consecutive starts in games he played in (missed the 2004 Rutgers game) … Became the 51st Syracuse athlete to play in the Senior bowl (2007).

All-Big East Conference second-team selection … Started all twelve games at left corner-back … Ranked sixth on the team with 62 tackles (47 solos), adding 2.5 sacks for minus 29 yards and 4.5 stops for losses of 32 yards … Caused two fumbles and returned a fumble recovery 7 yards … Deflected four passes and intercepted two others for 39 yards in returns … Also recovered an onside kickoff for no return … Of the 66 passes thrown into his area, 45 were caught by the opposition for 484 yards (10.76 yards per completion/7.33 yards per pass attempt) and four touchdowns … Only ten of those catches produced first downs, with eight of those receptions good for ten yards or longer (four for more than 20 yards) … Made 36 plays vs. the run and another 36 vs. the pass … Registered eight third-down stops (5 vs. the pass … Was penalized only once.

Wake Forest … Jackson opened the season with five tackles (3 solos) … Picked off a Ben Mauk pass at the WF 42 and returned it 12 yards on the first series of the second half …

Caused a fumble when he tackled De'Angelo Bryant at the SU 18 on a run over right guard, but Bryant recovered it with 7:11 left in the third quarter … Recovered a fumble by Kevin Harris at the SU 13 to kill a late third quarter 41-yard, 5-play drive … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#21-Kenneth Moore-One catch for 9 yards.

Iowa … Posted five tackles (4 solos) … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#22-Calvin Davis-Two catches for 23 yards.

Illinois … Followed with four tackles (2 solos) and assisted Kelvin Smith in sacking QB Tim Brasic for a 6-yard loss at the SU 42 on a third-&-10 play during Illinois' game-opening drive … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#4-Derrick McPhearson-No catches (stopped McPhearson from getting to two other throws).

Miami, Ohio … Added four tackles (2 solos) with two pass deflections, including one midway through the first quarter, when he knocked down a third-&-14 Mike Kokal pass to force a Miami punt … Kokal beat Jackson on a 9-yard scoring strike to Ryne Robinson in the second quarter … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#2-Ryne Robinson-Seven catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns (deflected two passes and prevented Robinson from getting to two other throws).

Wyoming … Recorded a career-high ten tackles (9 solos) and picked off a Jacob Doss pass at the SU 6, returning it 27 yards on the first series of the third quarter … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#8-Michael Ford-Twelve catches for 110 yards (stopped Ford from catching three other passes).

Pittsburgh … Was in on five tackles (3 solos) … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#81-Derek Kinder-Three catches for 29 yards.

West Virginia … Credited with four tackles (3 solos), including one that stopped tailback Steve Slaton for no gain on a first-&-goal run at the start of the second quarter … Also recovered a fumble by fullback Ed Collington at the WVU 18, returning the ball 7 yards to set up a Syracuse 34-yard field goal with 3:14 remaining in the game … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#2-Darius Reynaud-Seven catches for 55 yards (prevented Renaud from catching two other tosses).

Louisville … Made seven tackles (6 solos) with a sack, two stops for losses of 16 yards and a forced fumble … Caused that fumble when Jackson sacked QB Brian Brohm for a 14-yard loss at the UL 20, as Syracuse's Kelvin Smith recovered the ball to set up an Orange 35-yard field goal wit5h 4:49 left in the first half … Tackled Anthony Allen at the SU 12 for a 2-yard loss on Louisville's next drive … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#85-Harry Douglas-Six catches for 72 yards.

Cincinnati … Delivered five solo tackles, including one that stopped Greg Moore for a 1-yard loss at the SU 41 on a screen pass with 1:26 remaining before halftime … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#84-Bill Poland-Two catches for 18 yards.

South Florida … Posted four solo tackles … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#80-Ean Randolph-One catch for 2 yards.

Connecticut … Recovered an onside kickoff while delivering four solo tackles with a 12-yard sack and a pass deflection … Tipped a D.J. Hernandez pass that was intercepted by Nick Chestnut at the UC 36 for a 16-yard return with a little over three minutes remaining in the second quarter … Early in the fourth quarter, Jackson sacked QB Matt Bonislawski for a 12-yard loss at the UC 27 on third-&-25, forcing Connecticut to punt … Sealed the 20-14 win when Jackson recovered an onside kickoff at the UC 44 as time expired … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#3-Brad Kanuch-No catches.

Rutgers … It was not how Jacksion envisioned his collegiate career coming to an end … The three-year starter made five tackles (2 solos) with a pass deflection, but was penalized for a personal foul, having his 9-yard sack of QB Mike Teel nullified on the game's opening series and the penalty set up a 10-yard touchdown run by the Knights' Ray Rice … Teel got back at Jackson for the flagrant foul by tossing a 38-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt later in the opening frame … Britt then beat Jackson to haul in Teel's second quarter 28-yard scoring strike … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#88-Kenny Britt-Four catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns (stopped Britt from grabbing two other passes).

One of sixteen players to start all eleven games for the Orange, lining up at left corner-back … Recorded 42 tackles (31 solos) with 2.5 stops for losses of 4 yards … Recovered a fumble that he advanced 9 yards, deflected six passes and intercepted another.

2005 GAME HIGHLIGHTS

West Virginia … Picked off a pass, recovered a fumble for a 9-yard return and made three tackles (2 solos) in the season opener.

Virginia … Deflected two passes and produced four solo tackles.

Florida State … Followed with eight tackles (4 solos) while batting down one pass.

Connecticut … Assisted on a stop behind the line of scrimmage and delivered five tackles.

Pittsburgh … Added a stop for a loss, six tackles (5 solos) and a pass deflection.

Cincinnati … Made one solo tackle before leaving the game with a left shoulder dislocation.

Louisville … Closed out the season with five solo tackles, stopping tailback Michael Bush for a 3-yard loss … Also had one pass deflection.

Moved into the starting lineup at left cornerback … In eleven games, he finished sixth on the squad with 56 tackles (45 solos), including 1.5 stops for losses of 2 yards … Recovered one fumble and had four pass deflections … Gained 4 yards on two interception returns.

2004 GAME HIGHLIGHTS

At Purdue, Jackson recorded two tackles in his first career start … At Buffalo, he had his first career interception and six tackles, including three solos … Against Cincinnati, Jackson tallied his second interception, along with four solo tackles … At Virginia, he made four solo tackles … Against Florida State, he registered five solo tackles, including one for a loss, and broke up two passes … Against Connecticut, he delivered nine tackles (8 solos) and added seven solo tackles vs. Pittsburgh … Posted five tackles, including two solo stops vs. Temple … Led the Orange with a career-high nine solo tackles vs. Boston College and was in on four tackles and one fumble recovery vs. Georgia Tech in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Played in eleven games, seeing action primarily on the punt return and punt protection special teams units … Finished with five solo tackles … Made one solo tackle in each of the Louisville, Central Florida and Toledo contests … Recorded two solo stops vs. Virginia Tech … Did not play vs. Temple.

2004-Sat out the Rutgers contest after Jackson was stabbed on the left side of his chest (9/28) during an altercation at a school party outside the campus student center. He jumped in to defend a former teammate. No charges were ever filed vs. his assailant.

2005-Suffered a left shoulder dislocation, missing most of the Cincinnati contest (10/29) and was forced to wear a harness while playing in the team's final three games. He underwent surgery to repair the injury after the season.

Campus: 4.54 in the 40-yard dash … Bench pressed 225 pounds 14 times … 303-pound hang clean … 31 1/8-inch arm length … 8 3/8-inch hands … Right-handed.

Combine: 4.53 in the 40-yard dash … 1.58 10-yard dash … 2.63 20-yard dash … 4.28 20-yard shuttle …

6.89 three-cone drill … 32.5-inch vertical jump … 10'1" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 12 times.

Attended Bullis (Potomac, Md.) School, playing football for head coach Walt King … Prep Star All-Atlantic Region honorable mention and rated the 21st-best player in the Mid-Atlantic by Super Prep as a senior … Two-time first-team All-State selection, three-time All-Metro honoree and four-time first-team All-County, playing on two league championship teams … Named the team's Most Valuable Player after registering 15 touchdowns, 483 yards receiving, 1,132 yards rushing, four interceptions, 78 tackles and two sacks as a senior team captain … Collected 60 tackles, had three interceptions and broke up 19 passes as a junior, winning the team's Defensive Player of the Year Award … As a sophomore, Jackson received the team's Coaches Award … For his career, he set a school record with 19 interceptions, as he also made 252 tackles, 3,121 yards rushing and 1,007 receiving yards while scoring 39 times … Member of the school's Multicultural Student Union.

Communications and Rhetorical Studies major … Son of Tiffany Jackson … Born Tanard Ricardo Jackson on 7/21/85 in Silver Spring, Maryland.