Daniel

Jackson

Jackson’s (5’11/193) athletic abilities won’t garner him much praise on the gridiron, but what he lacks in flash, he makes up for with savvy route running to gain an edge over opposing defenders. He’ll need to show that same level of acumen at a higher level if he hopes to show he can separate in the pros, but his career 50 percent contested catch rate suggests he can find more ways to win in coverage. Jackson was a four-year starter at Minnesota and ended his career with a 75-863-4 line, posting career highs in receptions, yards, and targets. His ability to play outside and in the slot will work to his advantage, as coaches will have a chance to explore where he would best fit in their receiving room, but he could be better suited as a zone-beating slot receiver due to his limited speed — he ran just a 4.63s 40-yard dash. Jackson only logged 20 snaps on special teams during his career, which may work against him when it comes to finalizing roster cutdowns.

Jackson (6'0/200), who appeared in each of Minnesota’s first five games, will sit for a second consecutive week. The redshirt freshman has caught 14 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. The Golden Gophers, even with Mo Ibrahim going down in the season opener, have done a lot of their damage on the ground this season. That being said, someone will need to step forward and help supplement the efforts fo Chris Autman-Bell on the outside.

Jackson is on the sidelines for pregame festivities, but he’s wearing street clothes. He had started all five games this season. The youngster leads the Gophers with 14 receptions to go with 155 yards and a touchdown.

Jackson (5'11/185) picked Minnesota over offers from programs such as Wisconsin, Iowa and Iowa State, becoming the 22nd member of the Golden Gophers’ 2020 recruiting class. “No more visits or camps elsewhere, as I’m heading to Minnesota,” Thomas told GopherIllustrated Sunday night. “My knee is also a 100% go. Doesn’t even bother me. I’m ready for this fall.” Obviously the four-star wideout from Shawnee Mission, KS (Bishop Miege HS), who is friends with fellow Minnesota commit Ky Thomas, is shutting down his recruitment so he won’t be using his remaining visits in the fall unless something changes. Jackson took officials to Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa State before making his decision.

Jackson (6'0/180) was down in Tempe for a little three-day trip, checking out what ASU has to offer over the weekend. The Shawnee Mission, Kansas, native is one of the more visit-inquisitive 2020 prospects out there in the early going. Beyond his recent visit to Arizona State, he took an unofficial trip to Kansas the previous weekend and has an unofficial to Iowa State scheduled for March 9. At this juncture, Jackson does not plan on utilizing his allotted official visits until the fall. Rivals ranks him as the No. 2 prospect in the state of Kansas for the 2020 cycle.