With The First Pick
Fansided

They got next: 10 true freshmen to watch after 2020 NFL Draft

By Cory Kinnan

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after defeating the Washington Huskies 35-31 during their game at Husky Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 19: Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after defeating the Washington Huskies 35-31 during their game at Husky Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 31: Drake Jackson #99 of the USC Trojans tackles Ronnie Rivers #20 of the Fresno State Bulldogs for a loss during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 31, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 31: Drake Jackson #99 of the USC Trojans tackles Ronnie Rivers #20 of the Fresno State Bulldogs for a loss during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 31, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

7

Drake Jackson EDGE

USC Trojans Football
USC Trojans Football /

Scouting Report

Back-to-back pass rushers to make the top ten true freshman list is USC’s Drake Jackson. While Jackson is a bit stockier than most elite edge rushers to enter the NFL Draft at 6-4 and 275 pounds, Jackson displays great lateral movement, a high mental dexterity, and good anchor strength at the edge of the Trojan defense.

https://twitter.com/Scott_Schrader/status/1193595156508733440?s=20

Thus far through his freshman season, Jackson has already tallied 10.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and four and a half sacks. He has also forced a fumble and knocked down one pass at the line of scrimmage, further displaying his awareness to be around the ball even if he does not get home.

As the Trojans look to be on the upswing and on the rise in the Pac-12 (potentially with a new head coach), their defense will be in good hands with Jackson anchoring it over the next two seasons. It is hard to imagine a prospect as smart and disciplined as Jackson getting better, but he has two years to continue to grow.

One thing is becoming clear: the 2022 NFL Draft will be a great class of EDGE rushers should Harrison and Jackson decide to declare. No spoilers here, but there is still one true freshman edge rusher to make an appearance on the list as well.

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