Even under the spotlight of a New Year’s Six bowl game, even though he was going up against a Power Five program, and even when his team was trailing, Jha’Quan Jackson shined when his teammates needed him to.
Tulane was facing USC in the Cotton Bowl during the 2022 season, and the Green Wave trailed 14-7 in the second quarter. Considering the way the Trojans were scoring in that game, Tulane needed some points to keep up.
On second-and-5 on Tulane’s own 13-yard line, Jackson started the play in the slot to the right of the formation. He stutter-stepped early in his route, which forced a USC player to hesitate, and that gave Jackson an opportunity to cut upfield.
Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt found him and threw the ball just over the hand of a defender and into Jackson’s hands. From there, Jackson turned up the field. He had more opponents in his way, but it didn’t matter. He alluded and outran everyone en route to the end zone for an 87-yard touchdown.
These are the types of plays Jackson can make, and he may continue to do so in the NFL.
“I just wanna be me and go in there and help a team be better and win a Super Bowl,” he said.
Where Did Jha’Quan Jackson Get Drafted?
Jackson was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was selected with the 182nd overall pick.
“I’d probably say speed,” Jackson said when asked what his strengths are as a player. “Catching the ball, getting separation, scoring a lot of touchdowns.”
What Was Jha’Quan Jackson’s 40 Time?
Jackson ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 4.42 seconds, which was 12th among wide receivers.
He tied for 10th at his position group with 12 bench press reps. At 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, he was 31st in the vertical jump (32 inches) and the broad jump (9 feet, 10 inches).
“It’s been amazing. It’s been a blessing of a lifetime,” Jackson said at the NFL Combine. “All my life I wanted to be here. I’ve been dreaming all my life just to get the opportunity to make it to the NFL.”
Jha’Quan Jackson’s Stats and Highlights
Jackson didn’t make an All-AAC team as a wide receiver, but he’s steadily gained more and more attention this offseason.
Jackson caught 26 passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He was an all-conference third-team return specialist, as he gained 110 yards on nine punt returns. The season before, he chalked up 554 yards and three scores on 33 receptions while returning 21 punts for 213 yards and another touchdown.
Jackson is grateful for his time at Tulane as it made him a better player and person.
“Just go there and work,” Jackson said. “All my life, I’ve just been coming to work and hustling.”
He’s maximized his opportunities the past few months. He shined against top-notch talent at the Senior Bowl and impressed during positional drills at the NFL Combine.
“Just a really reliable guy. A guy that I had great chemistry with,” Pratt, who’s also hoping to be drafted this year, said. “You know where he’s gonna be. Great speed, great ball skills. Really smart player. Loves the game of football and knows the game of football really, really well. So definitely a downfield threat. Runs great routes, intermediate threat. He’s very versatile to do a lot of things, and the most special thing about him is what he can do with the football in his hands. Just getting him the ball and letting him work is something that’s really fun to watch.”
Jha’Quan Jackson’s NFL Comparison And Draft Profile
I project Jackson’s playing style in the NFL will be similar to Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens. He said he also admires Carolina Panthers great Steve Smith.
Jackson played mostly in the slot – 82.4% of the time in 2023 – and he wasn’t targeted downfield much, as his average depth of target was 11.7 yards.
But he was highly effective in his role. He’s stellar in the open field, both as a returner and a receiver, as he could make several defenders miss in one play with his quick feet.
He’s also an impressive route runner. He has solid footwork and can change direction in an instant, which is obviously tough to keep up with for defensive backs.
He was also utilized in a variety of ways on screens, sweeps, and end-arounds. And though he’s not the tallest receiver, he adjusts well to the ball when it’s in the air and is willing to go up and get it.
Jackson did miss some time in 2023 due to injury, so that could be a concern. But he’s obviously capable of giving an NFL offense a spark.
“He’s a heck of a ballplayer,” Pratt said. “Really great speed. He’s also huge on special teams. So I think that’s something that’s definitely gonna help him go into the next level. Really high-character dude. Just loves the game of football, loves his teammates. So I’m really excited to see what he’s gonna do.”
