'15 TN DE Dylan Jackson (former UT commit)

Lane Johnson, who was a top 5 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by Philly was a QB in Juco. He signs with Oklahoma out of Juco, gets moved to Tackle, and now is very successful.

There are always exceptions with everything, I understand that. And I totally understand where the worries/doubts are coming from with him playing Tackle.

Jackson has a great frame to be a Tackle. He's extremely athletic. When Buck, Hubbs, and Pfort say something, I listen. Quick feet, solid initial punch, natural knee bender, and the ability to hold off a strong bull rush.

Jackson will most likely RS his 1st year on campus. He has plenty of time to put on that much needed weight and do whatever the coaches ask of him.
 
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Jackson is tall with some really wide shoulders.. He could end up anywhere when it's all said and done.
 
Ht:6'8"
Wt:240 lbs
40:4.9 secs
Class:2006 (High School)

That's from Nate Solder's rivals profile. I think he played some TE at Colorado before moving to tackle. First round pick, and somewhat similar to what I could see as a projection for Jackson.

Kind of my whole point. Talking about Jackson as an OT now makes zero sense to me. As I said, 3 years from now, maybe it's different. I also said it's VERY rare for a 230LB DE coming off his JR year of HS to make the move to OT at the D1 level. The fact your pulling a profile from 2006, kind of supports my thinking. "See, here is one from 8 years ago". I think it's a big risk for Dylan to agree to make the move. He could lose his 1st couple/3 years of college getting his body ready to play OT. If it does not work out or he is recruited over by HS kids coming in at 290-300LBS and accomplished OT's, then he would have just wasted his entire college career trying to be the next "Eric Fisher". I for 1 hope it does not happen. The kid needs to focus on DE and not eating 8500 calories a day to become an OT years from now.
 
Nothing wrong with 285-290 lb OT. Provides more mobility and agility vs rush ends. Much easier for Jackson to see that weight than some may believe...
 
Entering the state championship games in 2012 and 2013, Jackson was listed on Maryville's roster at 6-5, 221 and 6-6, 235, respectively. I believe he's already up to 240 and will likely play at 250+ next fall.

If the staff projects him as a future OT, with UT's nutrition & weight-training programs he could easily be 285+ in his 2nd year (redshirt freshman) before he ever steps on the field. And if he's an early enrollee, that progress will be accelerated.
 
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I get everyone wants to look at the Fisher situation and look for the "next one". It's not impossible, but it's VERY rare. Looking at the JR OT's 247 has rated for 2015(Dylan's class), they have rated 103 of them. Not a single one is less than 245LBS right now. Jackson would need to gain 10-15LBS to be even with the smallest OT in the 2015 class. Think about that for a second.

I think people are looking at his frame vs. His age. He will hit campus with more weight than today. He will then hit our s/c program and be able to work with that for a year or two. I believe he can be well used on either side of the ball. His athleticism along with his size will be invaluable.
 
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What's wrong with having him at DE? 6'-6" is a lot of moment of inertia if his pads are low. Add to that that he will be at least 30 lbs heavier when he gets on campus. Unblockable on a rush in that case. Also, if he's not rushing, he makes it a nightmare for a QB to pass over his head.
 
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What's wrong with having him at DE? 6'-6" is a lot of moment of inertia if his pads are low. Add to that that he will be at least 30 lbs heavier when he gets on campus. Unblockable on a rush in that case. Also, if he's not rushing, he makes it a nightmare for a QB to pass over his head.

The first rule of VolNation is no one stays put.

The second rule of VolNation is no one stays put.
 
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What's wrong with having him at DE? 6'-6" is a lot of moment of inertia if his pads are low. Add to that that he will be at least 30 lbs heavier when he gets on campus. Unblockable on a rush in that case. Also, if he's not rushing, he makes it a nightmare for a QB to pass over his head.


I agree with you. He's a DE as far as I'm concerned.
 
it was actually the VQ and 247 guys that said he had more potential at OT

If he gets the technique down, he has just as much potential at DE. I guess it will come down to which position comes most natural to him, but he has great instincts and a nose for the ball. Hard to teach that.
 
Kind of my whole point. Talking about Jackson as an OT now makes zero sense to me. As I said, 3 years from now, maybe it's different. I also said it's VERY rare for a 230LB DE coming off his JR year of HS to make the move to OT at the D1 level. The fact your pulling a profile from 2006, kind of supports my thinking. "See, here is one from 8 years ago". I think it's a big risk for Dylan to agree to make the move. He could lose his 1st couple/3 years of college getting his body ready to play OT. If it does not work out or he is recruited over by HS kids coming in at 290-300LBS and accomplished OT's, then he would have just wasted his entire college career trying to be the next "Eric Fisher". I for 1 hope it does not happen. The kid needs to focus on DE and not eating 8500 calories a day to become an OT years from now.

I think you took my post wrong Leb. If he doesn't grow an inch or gain a pound he is entering college at nearly the exact height and weight as a first round tackle prospect. I could easily see him developing physically into an OL prospect, the part I would worry about is if he can develop the technique to do it, and that's for the staff to decide. Physically, to me, it isn't even a question he would be fine on the OL. That's also not to say he wouldn't be successful at his current DE position. I think that's why he's a take right now for us, he projects great at both DE and OL.
 
I think he is a ssde all the way. if he gains up to 270-275 he will be a terror in the backfield. I know he has a slow 40 time for a de but his first 10 yrds is impressive.
 
I am pretty sure the coaches will know how to use him effectively. If that is gaining weight and becoming a tackle, then it is. This staff has had a number one draft pick by doing that, so they know what to look for, even compared to other coaches. I know it's a good discussion, but not sure why it has to be one or the other.
 
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