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Examine the LB: Hernando’s Jeremiah Jackson the lab rat

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For our examination of the line backer, we wanted to use a player who was known, had some good recruiting attention, was an excellent player and did not have a multiple verbal scholarship offers.

Hernando LB/FB. Jeremiah Jackson was the perfect candidate. The 6-0/210 pound rising senior is one heck of a player. Just a hair undersized as the major BCS schools would like to recruit LBs who are 6-2 and taller. Purdue offered Jackson in November and he has had an on going relationship with the Miami staff after he was named line backer MVP at their camp last summer. So, he’s on the radar. Florida State, Florida, Michigan, Kentucky, South Carolina are all showing increasing interest in Jeremiah.

When we scout/evaluate line backers, we look for key characteristics; Can he run, violent tackler, reaction time and pass coverage. Below we get more into detail with the evaluation process and use Jeremiah Jackson’s hilites to display examples of each characteristic.

LATERAL MOVEMENT
LBs must be able to get trough traffic, show good hip flip and pursue to the sideline. The 3:20 mark is perfect example.

TACKLING
Throughout the film, you see Jackson striking ball carriers. Runs his feet through contact and has really good contact speed. Tackles above the waste and never leaves his feet to make contact.

INTERIOR RUNS
At the 1:05 mark, Jackson shows how to step up and fill the hole. Make a big face up tackle showing physicality.

PERIMETER RUNS
See the 1:15 mark and watch how this backer gets to sideline with square shoulders, keeping himself in good position to play the cutback. We also like to use “Range,” covering a lot of space without a lot of steps.

GETTING TO THE PASSER
The film does not show much of Jackson pursuing the passer, However at the 2:44 mark, you can see Jackson use power, good hands and footwork to retract and get to the passer.

READS
See :24 second mark where Jackson does an excellent job reading the run and reacting, before the block can get to him. He gets a great jump on ball to make the tackle in the backfield.

SPEED
The 2:22 and 3:11 mark says it all!

PASS DROPS
See :31 second mark: You can see Jeremiah flip his hips, turn and push to get good depth in zone coverage and make the interception. The effort after the interception to make an attempt to score.

COVERAGE
See :52 second mark: Jackson anticipates the route in man-to-man coverage. Displays good hips and reaction. Makes a big play on the ball.