Dan Jackson stood in the corner of Georgia football’s indoor practice facility with a big smile on his face. He was surrounded by a swarm of cameras, bright lights and reporters, all eager to speak with the former walk-on.
“I’m just thankful to be out here one more time with the guys,” Jackson said on Wednesday afternoon at Georgia’s Pro Day. “Played here a long time, so it just feels like home.”
Describing Jackson’s tenure at Georgia as a “long time” may be an understatement. The former safety spent six years with the Bulldogs, participating in every 6 a.m. workout, Bloody Tuesday and other demanding activity head coach Kirby Smart challenged him with.
However, when you love football as much as Jackson does, any opportunity to compete is treasured. The Gainesville, Ga. native said he does not just like playing football, but he loves it, which is apparent to his teammates.
“The durability and resiliency that he had,” defensive lineman Warren Brinson said. “He embodies the world ‘resilient’ because he always comes back no matter what he had. I’ve seen his knee look like the size of a softball, and he’s still out there practicing.”
No one would have blamed Jackson for quitting football. He bypassed scholarship offers to play for Georgia but did not see the field until his third year in Athens. Even then, he had to overcome the challenges and doubts placed upon walk-ons. His passion for the game kept him going.
“How much I love football — I think that just keeps me grounded,” Jackson said. “Looking back, I might have stopped playing if I liked football, but since I feel like I love it, that’s all I wanted to do.”
The former walk-on displayed a strong Pro Day performance with a 34-inch vertical jump, an over 10-foot broad jump and a 40-yard dash that multiple NFL scouts clocked around 4.4. However, Jackson hopes his passion is what NFL teams notice.
“I just want them to realize how much that I love the game,” Jackson said. “Sometimes you can tell by watching on film, but I feel like once they get to know me, they’ll realize that I don’t just like football. I love it, and I will for the rest of my life.”
Jackson’s devotion to football was evident during his time at Georgia. He constantly flew to the ball, making hard-hit after hard-hit, and played with a passion and energy that Malaki Starks said was “an honor” to share the field with.
Jackson was the center of attention during his seven-minute interview session on Wednesday, but he started his collegiate career as an undersized walk-on that had to fight for playing time.
“Talking to Coach Smart yesterday, he said I look nothing like what I did when I came in,” Jackson said. “Definitely always had a chip on my shoulder. I’m going to have that for the rest of my time. I’m chasing after people right now, and hopefully soon, guys will be chasing after me.”
Jackson, who appeared in all 14 of Georgia’s games last season, went from a walk-on to an NFL prospect through constant hard work. He is beloved by his teammates, who said his work ethic is “unmatched.”
“That’s a genuine person,” Arian Smith said. “He comes in every day, never complains. That’s one person that had to get it out of the mud. He deserves everything that’s coming for him.”
Jackson’s endearment towards his teammates is why they were willing to fight for him after he did not receive an invite to the NFL Combine. Jackson, who was voted a team captain, played on a Georgia defense that helped it win consecutive national championships, but the “walk-on” tag continues to diminish his talent.
When asked how many Bulldogs reached out to offer words of encouragement after he was left off the invite list, Jackson said “too many to count.”
“[Jackson and Chaz Chambliss] are the hardest working people I know because their perseverance through just being here at Georgia,” said Jalon Walker, who is projected to go in the first round. “And then they’ve been snubbed through media and invites. To them, that just fuels their fire even more to show why they belong where everybody else thinks they belong.”
In typical Jackson fashion, he responded to the snub by displaying a relentless performance in front of all 32 teams at Georgia’s Pro Day. Jackson said he is “used to” being an underdog and embraces any opportunity he has to showcase his talent.
“I’m used to it,” Jackson said. “But all glory to God for giving me this opportunity today because that was my goal since I got into Georgia. And it’s kind of surreal that it just ended.”
Jackson’s day consisted of drills, interviews and meeting with NFL teams. He admitted that he was nervous entering the day but shared that it was “good nerves.” He said that not receiving a Combine invite did not affect him because he was “locked in” for Georgia’s Pro Day, in a place he called “home.”
“From day one, I never let it get to me because I know that God’s in control,” Jackson said. “That’s what I believe. I don’t have time to focus on that or worry about that because right when it happened, I knew that this is where I’d be performing, and where I’d be running, and locked in from there.”
Jackson’s solid Pro Day performance paired with an excellent Senior Bowl outing — where he was voted the top safety by his teammates — puts him in a favorable position entering April 24’s NFL Draft. He said hearing his name called would “mean the world,” but all he needs is an opportunity.
And if any NFL teams are still doubting him, the Bulldogs have a message that reads loud and clear.
“Don’t be mistaken,” Walker said. “Don’t be a fool and not get those guys when you can.”
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