Nick Jackson: Path To The NFL Draft

By Simon Carroll

Quarterback or edge rusher, cornerback or kicker; football is a game built up of positions so unique that, if you looked at it without context, you would think the people participating are playing completely different sports to one another. And yet, wherever you line up on the gridiron there is one constant – production matters.

Through triumph and tragedy, nobody has produced quite like Nick Jackson has – and he now finds himself close to achieving a dream more than fifteen years in the making. The former Iowa linebacker sits down with Simon Carroll to discuss his path to the NFL Draft:

Family: Laying The Football Foundations

Calvin Pace. Akeem Dent. D’Qwell Jackson. Tahir Whitehead. When it comes to producing NFL linebackers, Atlanta, Georgia is up there with any other football hotbed in America. Nick Jackson hopes to be the next name to join that esteemed list, hailing from the same city and embracing the sport at a young age:

“Down South, football is kind of a way of life. As a young boy it felt like everyone was just waiting for me to get into the game – ‘how fast can we put him in pads’! But I started playing from the age of five. My mom and dad, they wanted me to play flag football, but it was actually my best friend’s mom who convinced them to let me play tackle. I was best friends with [Baltimore Ravens safety] Kyle Hamilton growing up, and he was playing tackle football from the age of four. So eventually they relented and let me play – and that’s how this whole love affair with football began.”

Whilst Jackson’s parents might not have known it at the time, if it worked for a future two-time All-Pro defensive back, it was probably a good idea for their son too. It was the first of many joint decisions they made for Jackson as he embarked upon his football career, despite not living together for a large part of his childhood. But as Nick opines, he had a strong familial support system in place, biological or otherwise:

“My mom and dad; they’re divorced, live in separate households. They’re only a mile away from each other and I grew up seeing both of them a lot. The support I have got from my parents through my football career, right back to that first decision at five years old, has been amazing. But honestly, me and Kyle were like brothers – and I consider his parents family too. That’s how close we are.”

A family to lean on and some famous company to learn alongside, it almost seemed like fate that Jackson would excel at football. As with most young boys he would try his hand at other sports, but it soon became apparent that the gridiron was where he belonged:

“Honestly, I thought I was going to play basketball when I was growing up! My mom is 5’10”, dad is 6’0”, so there was a good chance I was going to be tall. But I got the short end of the stick there, never got that basketball height. But in the end that kind of allowed me to focus on football.”

It Was Always Virginia

Nick Jackson attended the Lovett School in Atlanta, playing football for the Lions. Reminiscing about where football really began to be a serious endeavor, Jackson remembers clearly when football changed from a hobby to a passion:

“I think it was about 9th grade when my coach came to me. I was on the varsity team, and he just told me that if I took this sport seriously I could have a special career. From that moment I took it a lot more seriously.”

Jackson would go on to have an impressive high school career, starring on both sides of the ball. 178 tackles in three years gave people a hint of what was to come at linebacker, but 1,224 career yards and nine touchdowns as a receiver tells us football just came naturally to him. Inevitably, college football programs began to take notice:

“I was blessed to get a few offers as a Junior, and by the end of my senior year I had a bunch of them. And honestly, I was enamoured with the whole process. It was exciting, being able to take a visit here, another school wants me there – and of course everyone at school is asking where I want to go. Now you’re young back then, enjoying the ride, but something in my mind was telling me UVA was the place to go. I think what it was, every visit I took, I was comparing it to Virginia. Eventually it was obvious that nothing, for me, quite matched it.”

A three-star recruit, Jackson earned more than thirty scholarship offers from every corner of the country. Ultimately, it turned out the Cavaliers were playing with a loaded deck, beating out the competition for Nick’s signature for a variety of reasons. It seemed like fate that the linebacker would end up in Charlottesville:

“I loved everything about the school. Everything. The people there were amazing, and of course my dad had gone there which gave that familial connection too. Really, I grew up as a Virginia fan, so looking back I guess no other school had a chance! The coaches were fantastic there every time I visited. I was very proud to have the chance to go to Virginia and play football for that state.”

An elite student, Jackson was recruited by some of the most academically prestigious universities in America – Virginia of course being one of them. Football might have been his passion, but Jackon’s support network would always remind him of his priorities:

“Academics was a huge aspect of it too. My parents, they were really strict on my grades, and God bless them for it – I think that’s kept me on my straight line focus throughout my career. It was always preached to me that college was about education first, but of course football was a factor for me too. My final schools were Duke, Northwestern, Virginia and Texas A&M – I had to keep an SEC team in there being from Atlanta! You’re surrounded by it, the size and prestige and passion. But ultimately, Virginia offered that perfect blend of academics and Power 4 football I wanted.”

Instant Impact

Nick Jackson headed to Charlottesville in 2019, coinciding with one of Virginia’s best seasons in recent memory. The Cavaliers would take a run at the ACC, play in one of the most prestigious bowl games in college football, and finish the season ranked. It was just as special from an individual perspective for Jackson, who played in every game as a freshman, eventually becoming a starter as the year went on:

“When I committed to Virginia, they had three linebackers who would be ahead of me. One of them was Jordan Mack, the middle linebacker who was a captain and All-American who was in his final year there. But that fourth spot was really up for grabs to compete for. So for me to come in year one and compete for snaps on defense whilst carving out a nice role on special teams was really cool. And of course, this is a tough sport! So with injuries I was starting by the end of the year. It allowed me to play in key moments, like the Conference Championship Game, the Orange Bowl and our rivalry game against UNC. It really is a tribute to my coaching staff who aided my development and had me ready to go when they needed me.”

Another special moment for Jackson would have been playing against Notre Dame, where his best friend Kyle Hamilton was plying his trade. It was a season that set the foundations for things to come for Nick and his career – he was thrown into the fire, and found his feet quickly:

“It was growth both mentally and physically. As a freshman, it’s not just ‘see ball get ball’ any more – it’s a lot harder. You need to understand your responsibilities, by gap sound; in high school you can get away with little things, but at college you quickly learn everyone is too good to be doing that. That was a learning curve at first, but I embraced it. It really served me well, giving me that strong base for the rest of my career.”

Jackson’s introduction to college football served him well for the rest of his time at Virginia, allowing him to have a breakout campaign in 2020. The linebacker would finish sixth in the FBS in tackles (105) as just a sophomore, the result of some serious dedication to his craft in the offseason:

“2020 really was a result of all the work I had put in my freshman year. The exposure I had at the end of the year were big games. Really, when you look at it, I had only played top-fifteen teams by that point. So the standard I encountered became the levels at which I knew I needed to play – and my whole offseason was geared towards matching that standard. I knew I needed to get a little bit stronger and a little bit faster if I wanted to be great at this game. It was a deliberate preparation for that level of ball – and even if not every game was against the likes of Clemson, you can never really over-prepare. I was ready.”

Persevering Through The Pandemic

2020 is a season in football that will be remembered for very different reasons to most, with a global pandemic reshaping the sport not just for that year, but many more to come. Nick Jackson was in the early stages of his college career, but stayed focused to make sure he was ready to go when football returned:

“That COVID year was a little different. Everybody was locked up. But if you love ball, then it isn’t going to stop you – and it didn’t stop me. I made those sacrifices, locked myself away, never got the virus. And then when practice did finally come, everyone felt just free. We could go wild, let loose and hit somebody, because we know we’re gonna be in our rooms the rest of the day.”

When football did return, it wasn’t the same. Jackson would have been used to performing in front of 60,000 fans at Scott Stadium, something which of course was not possible at the height of the Coronavirus. Nevertheless, Jackson was able to find some positives in a time when they were thin on the ground:

“The atmosphere was unusual, something I wasn’t expecting. Even when restrictions were eased, I don’t think the crowds ever got to 1,000. Every game felt like spring ball or fall camp, but with masks on when you’re on the sideline. And of course, COVID was terrible for a lot of people, but the experience did help me in some aspects. I became even more disciplined, and the team built this real camaraderie – they’d be the only people you ate with, worked with, it was like a family. And with only a handful of fans at games, it was just like me and my guys against those guys. It was kind of a pure version of the game; no noise to block out, homefield advantage was a wash. It was just football and nothing else.”

By the time the 2021 season rolls around and the world is attempting to find some sort of normality, Jackson is setting his sport alight. His junior year would be more of the same; another 100-tackle season with five 10+ tackle performances against ACC opposition. Nick was named a team captain that year, a testament to his development not just on the field but amongst his peers too. Others were taking notice, but Nick was able to keep his priorities in order despite the outside noise:

“After that sophomore year I had some agents reach out to me. And that noise kind of ramped up in my junior year, so I did start to think of the NFL a little. But it wasn’t too difficult to keep focused – me and my parents knew I would be graduating before we started to consider the next level. The business program at Virginia is a four year deal, no ifs or buts. There was no option for summer class or any way of adjusting my education to fit my football life, and as such it was never in doubt.”

Charlottesville Tragedy

Nick Jackson entered the 2022 season as a senior, ready to put the final touches to a glittering career in Charlottesville. And he duly did, registering his third-straight year with 100+ tackles and adding five sacks to an already impressive stat sheet. But the football exploits that year will forever remain secondary at Virginia, as the University and the football team suffered a horrific tragedy. Teammates Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis and D’Sean Perry lost their lives in a mass shooting on campus, with two further students injured in the attack on a bus just as some of the team had returned following a class trip. Jackson is unafraid to explain the immense impact the tragedy had on him, and how the significance of November 13, 2022 has shaped his journey since:

“It’s hard. There was nothing easy about that tragedy. It was something I admit really weighed on me, and I’d be lying if I didn’t accept it was part of the reason why I left Virginia. I loved those guys, and it was hard to see that every day. Those were my brothers, and as a captain of the team you feel responsible for everybody. So guilt was a big part of it. Perhaps if I was there, could I have changed something? There were a million thoughts that crossed through your mind, and it was mentally tough. And playing football would usually offer you some respite through tough times, but of course it kind of happened at the end of the year, so I didn’t have the game to lean on.”

It’s hard for anyone on the outside to comprehend a moment like that in someone else’s life – one where, on another day, Nick could have very easily have been on that bus himself. Jackson had dedicated his life to his sport, and it was time for football to give him something back – first as a crutch, then as an opportunity to honor his fallen teammates:

“It’s not something you will ever fully overcome. But eventually, you remember the joy of life and the things you love. For me, that was football. I remember putting my pads on again for the first time after and getting that feeling back. And now, you’re playing with a further purpose, reminded that this sport comes with no guarantees. You think of how my brothers would feel playing and how much they loved the game too. One of them was my roommate through fall camp, and you remember those smiles, going through the offseason grind with those guys. Football gives you that special bond – you work so hard together for essentially twelve days of satisfaction a year. Every time I play, I’ll never forget that bond.”

Heading To Iowa

After the trauma of 2022, Nick Jackson realised quickly he wanted to continue playing – and it was something he wasn’t going to take for granted. The only question was where? It was a fork in the road, and one that represented a new chapter in his football journey:

“I had a lot of options after that year. I could have gone pro, stayed at Virginia, or carried on my college career elsewhere. And of course, my mental state wasn’t great at that point, making the decision hard to fathom. In the end, the one constant was that I knew I just wanted to play ball. I wanted that feeling again, to be with my teammates and play for each other. And the uncertainty you get heading to the NFL was not good for me at that time. So for me, it was about playing at this level again first. I jumped into the portal to see what was out there, but left my options open. Of course, the coaches at Virginia understood, and ultimately I discovered that Iowa would be the best spot for me.”

Jackson would leave Virginia as one of the most productive players in the schools’ history. He had achieved as much on the football field in the famous Cavaliers navy blue and orange as anyone, but it’s fair to say that his eyes were opened when he entered the portal. The Hawkeyes program were outlining an opportunity for Jackson to expand his portfolio as a linebacker, a chance he wasn’t going to pass up:

“The Big Ten is a physical conference, which was a definite part of it – that’s how I play. And when I sat down with the coaches at Iowa, I felt like they taught me things in that first meeting! It felt like another level of football for me to test myself against. Iowa’s coaches give linebackers the liberty to control so much on the field, which I felt would increase my knowledge of the game. I was going to be able to manipulate fronts, make adjustments, understand more schemes; basically add a load more knowledge and skills to my game which would be great when the NFL came round. I learnt a lot more about playing in zone at Iowa, rather than just covering the tight end or running back like before. Everything was there to make me a better football player.”

The allure of Iowa was too much, and in February he agreed to become a Hawkeye. But he would only head fourteen hours west in the summer, once he had made good on his promise to his parents – and finish his Virginia education:

“Like I said, that degree was important. There was no leaving early – I would finish what I started. And I think that’s a good characteristic that my parents have instilled in me, and one that will serve me well throughout my life.”

The Final Finishes

Nick Jackson would ultimately spend two years with the Hawkeyes, adding another 200 tackles and 6.5 sacks to his resume. He also registered the first interception of his career against Wisconsin in 2024, further alluding to his development against the pass. That second season was something of a bonus for Jackson, who thought his stay in Iowa would be short and sweet:

“I only found out after the Big Ten Championship Game that I could have another year at Iowa. I thought I was one and done with the Hawkeyes! But I had my best game of the year against Michigan, and mentally my head was out the door after that. But a bunch of people at Virginia were getting an extra year from what happened in 2022, so my coaches told me they were going to fill out the paperwork and see where it would lead. I got the result of the appeal back a day or two before the Bowl Game, and out of nowhere I had a decision to make! But after a bit of thought I knew I wanted to come back. Ten of my teammates were returning, and I thought if the boys wanna run it back one more time, the NFL is not going anywhere. The guys at Iowa, they had become my brothers too. To be able to play with them again, to work for another year under Coach Parker, Coach Wallace, Coach Ferentz; I would be able to elevate my game to another level.”

Despite murmurs of a professional career being in the offing, Jackson understood that this process wouldn’t be the same as his high school recruiting experience.Not quite possessing the measurables that have long been seen as the standard for the next level, he wanted every opportunity to show what he could do. That sixth season would allow Nick to further prove he can compete with the best of them:

“A lot of the time you get feedback from NFL scouts. And I’m not a 6’3” linebacker, I’m not gonna have 80” arms, and I’m not gonna run a 4.3 forty. So you get told that you’re a day three prospect or a priority free agent, and for me, that last year was another season to keep showing them all how good I am. This is what I do. And by now, I’ve had three different defensive coordinators, played in four schemes, and regardless of all that I produce. Ultimately, that’s what this game is about; production. So that last year was a free hit, and the film is now the film – whether scouts pick tape from 2019 or 2024, it will tell them the same thing. I feel ready.”

By the end of his stay in Iowa, Jackson would set an NCAA record for most games played (73), and also make the most tackles by a power conference player in history (555). They’re statistics he has earned, and he was aware of their significance even if it wasn’t something he would chase at the detriment to team success:

“People would tell me about that every week. The media would let me know where I’m at. But as soon as you start paying too much interest in those things, you get away from your own game and who you are. Football is not a selfish sport – you’ve gotta play within the rules and within your scheme. So I tried to stay away from it really, just let the season be what it would be. But to find out you set the record for tackles and games played, looking back now, is something I’m proud of. My family jokes a lot with me, saying that I enjoyed every minute of college being there for six years! But you can look at that and say it was worth it, even though I would definitely take the experiences I enjoyed over the records for sure.”

More Than Just The Numbers

Nick Jackson leaves college football with a legacy he is rightly proud of. But outside of the statistics, it’s less selfish accolades that seem to please him most. In particular, we discuss him winning the Hayden Fry Award in 2024 – an award that ‘recognizes players who demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication’. As Jackson explains, football is a team game – and not one just played by the eleven men on the field:

“There’s a lot to be said about being a productive player. But you gotta be careful to not let your ego get carried away, because ultimately every person in that facility matters. Our janitor Doug at Iowa, just saying good morning to him every day means a lot to both him and me. You’re not above anybody else, whether you’re a captain or a true freshman. My parents and my high school coach really instilled that in me. I can lead the ACC in tackles as a Mike linebacker, then come to Iowa and be the Will. That means I won’t see as many tackles, but it’s not about me. My teammates will benefit from my contributions on the field. And the team is everything to me – we had a top five defense both years in Iowa. I feel blessed to love this sport, which makes it easier to show up, stay humble, and put in the work. That Hayden Fry award was special – it shows I left my ego at the door every day.”

We shift focus a little now, beginning to discuss his transition to the NFL. It feels like a move that has taken time to come, but one that Jackson is now ready for – even if he does acknowledge making it at the next level is no easy task:

“I feel honored to be in this process. And I stay humble to the fact that there’s a lot of good players in this draft. But I’m ready to compete. I just need that opportunity. I’m a man who is extremely coachable, fully committed to the process of getting better, and gives you everything I’ve got. I’d love to hear my name called day one, pick one – just like everyone else. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s about getting into training camp and competing. Virginia and Iowa have prepared me for that moment.”

Something of a sponge, Jackson has deliberately put into place every lesson his coaches have painstakingly given to him. From Coach Shane Hunter at UVA helping him after an underwhelming showing at a recruiting camp, to Coach Kelly Poppinga breaking down the technical nuances of the linebacker position – and Seth Wallace at Iowa pushing him, helping him embrace different roles and responsibilities. Jackson has remembered it all, and is grateful for the varied and extensive football education he has received. What that leaves is a confident man relishing the challenge ahead:

“I learnt a lot more about playing in zone at Iowa, rather than just covering the tight end or running back like before. Now, I understand how to get jams in the seams, how to ride the seams, open up my zone, play the flat, deep to short – they basically taught me every form of coverage in those two years. And I was also able to play Will linebacker too, so now I have the versatility of playing different roles on defense. Before, I might have been considered just a run stuffing thumper. Now, I’m a multi-faceted linebacker who can be asked to do a number of things. And of course, in the Big Ten, the physicality goes up, and I feel more calloused and ready for the rigors of the NFL. I’m much more prepared now than I was two years ago.”

All Eyes On The NFL Draft

Nick Jackson’s preparation for draft season is already well underway. It began back in January with a trip to the Hula Bowl, one of the process’s major showcase games for NFL Draft prospects. Jackson was happy he gave a good showing over in Orlando – and was pleased to be able to sit down with a healthy number of scouts and coaches too:

“It was a cool experience. You had teams texting to meet and talk with you, it felt like I was having job interviews for a career you had dreamed about since you were a kid! I remember playing with the Pee Wee Falcons when I was five, and then I was meeting the real Falcons at the Hula Bowl. So it was a surreal experience, but I felt I did well there. I had a bunch of good plays in the game, and made a statement of what I was capable of each practice. I got some really positive feedback from scouts too, was able to speak to around twenty different teams. They did a really good job putting on that event, and hopefully I did enough to convince one of those scouts to pull the trigger on me in April.”

Next on the calendar for Jackson will be his Iowa Pro Day, tentatively scheduled for the 20th March. It represents one final job interview to make his case for a shot at the NFL – and if we’ve learned anything about this deliberate, methodical and committed linebacker, he’ll be ready for it. Already battling some of the classic narratives that draft season loves to serve up, Jackson is lazer-focused on the controllables:

“I wish I could take a pill and grow three or four inches, make my arms a little longer. But that’s not going to happen. At the end of the day, people can say I’m not the ideal size, but there’s a million linebackers in the league who measure in at over six feet like me. I’m gonna run faster than people expect too. So, if the tape and production isn’t enough to convince people, then I can show them what they want to see at my pro day. I’m putting the work in now to be at my best on 20th March, and I’m confident I’ll deliver good numbers. And I’m excited to speak with more teams, sit down and talk ball and show them that from a mental perspective, I have the tools and knowledge to fit into any defense. I really think that side of things will separate me from some of the other guys out there.”

Nick Jackson’s pro day will be the last time he goes to work at the Hawkeye facility, before he endures a month-long wait to hear his NFL fate. We discuss different landing spots, musing on the potential to team up with his lifelong friend Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. It’s a lighthearted conversation, despite knowing that the location of his next home really is of little relevance at this stage – just so long as there is a next home. As you’d expect, Jackson will be surrounded by those who helped him on his journey to this point when draft weekend finally comes:

“I’ll be back in Atlanta, with my family and close friends. I plan on just keeping it chilled and enjoying it! Because whenever I get the call, it’s going to be a huge moment. It’s a tribute to all the work that goes into it. This isn’t a one-day process, where I filled out my application and submitted my resume – my resume is ten to fifteen years long. So it’s going to mean a lot. And whoever gives me my shot, I’m going to become their biggest fan immediately. It doesn’t matter who it is; I want to go where I’m most wanted. Cold weather, warm weather, not a problem – I’ve played in Atlanta, I’ve played in Iowa. It’s all the same to me! Once I get there, I’ll be ready to work – and they’re not going to get rid of me easy.”

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

LEAD WRITER/HEAD OF CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, and covers the jacksonville jaguars for sb nation.

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A huge thank you to Nick for taking the time to talk to us. Everyone at The Touchdown wishes him well in his future career.