With The First Pick
Fansided

2020 NFL Draft: USC’s Austin Jackson could get top-15 buzz

By Cory Kinnan

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: Austin Jackson #73 of the USC Trojans blocks A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 27, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: Austin Jackson #73 of the USC Trojans blocks A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 27, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Austin Jackson #73 of the USC Trojans blocks during a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. Where will he land in the 2020 NFL Draft? (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Austin Jackson #73 of the USC Trojans blocks during a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. Where will he land in the 2020 NFL Draft? (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Despite flawed film, USC offensive tackle could hear his name called early in the 2020 NFL Draft if he posts gaudy athletic numbers as expected.

Prospects will soon begin arriving in Indianapolis, Indiana for the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, set to begin this week. Among those players is 2020 NFL Draft hopeful Austin Jackson, offensive tackle out of the University of Southern California. According to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, could start to garner first round buzz with a strong showing at the combine this week.

Jackson, an extremely raw but athletic offensive tackle, could present a high ceiling for an NFL team looking to mold what appears to be a shell of a starting professional offensive lineman at this point. While his tape is a bit rough, especially below the waist as his footwork is flawed, Jackson is only 20 years old and with the right coaching he could become a longtime starter in the NFL.

At 6-6 and 310 pounds, Jackson’s frame leaves room for improvement as well, but that is all a part of the molding that one of the 32 teams would be taking on with his selection. Adding muscle to his frame would improve Jackson’s play strength and anchor, currently a bit weak at this point in his career.

More from NFL Draft News

Jackson will flash every once in a while on tape, but overall needs to add consistency to his game and sharpen up his technique mightily (this is evidenced by prospects such as Bradlee Anae and A.J. Epenesa posting great film against him). The USC product enters into similar territory as former number two overall pick in 2014 Greg Robinson (minus 157 pounds, obviously), who was selected high due to his athletic ability and testing numbers rather than his technique shown on film.

Off the field, however, Jackson is a stand up individual who is known for his charitable acts of kindness; last year, Jackson donated his bone marrow to his sister in order to save her life. One thing is for certain: Jackson would be willing to put in the work, but would he ever develop those dominant athletic traits into something translatable on the field?

Next. Scouting the 2020 NFL Draft: Adversity has shaped LSU CB Kristian Fulton. dark

Robinson failed to develop into the offensive tackle the then St. Louis Rams thought he would become, was traded for a sixth round pick to the Detroit Lions, started two years for the Cleveland Browns, and now faces 20 years in prison. Austin Jackson has a steep curve ahead of him at the next level, but he already has NFL teams drooling over what he could become at the next level.

Home/NFL Draft News