Cam Jackson was a dominant run defender during his college career, and his scouting report evaluates how well his skill set might translate to the NFL.
NFL Draft Scouting Report and Film Analysis of Florida Interior Defensive Lineman Cam Jackson
Measurables:
Height- 6’6″
Weight- 328 lbs
Player Background:
Jackson was a three-star recruit from Haynesville High School in Haynesville, La. He committed to Memphis and saw action in nine games during the 2020 season. He played in 12 games his sophomore season before becoming a full-time starter in 2022. As a full-time starter, he recorded 41 tackles and helped the Tigers win the First Responder Bowl. He transferred to Florida in 2023 and made an immediate impact for the Gators. He started 22 games in his two seasons with Florida and played an important role as the team’s top run defender on the defensive line.
Strengths:
Jackson is a big defensive tackle standing over 6-foot-6 and weighing nearly 330 pounds. Not only that, but he also has a tremendous wingspan and arm length that rank in the 79th and 81st percentile for defensive linemen. He is an imposing defender with incredible strength and power. Jackson can effectively hold the point of attack and is good at taking on double teams. He has quick and powerful hands and the ability to shed blockers.
Jackson is at his best as a run defender. He is a dominant force against the run, and it is not only due to his great length and strength but also because he has tremendous awareness as a run defender. He is a disciplined run defender with good instincts. Jackson plays with high effort and he is a reliable tackler who rarely misses tackles once he makes contact with the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
Jackson has an extremely limited ability as a pass rusher. Although his presence as a pass rusher did go up in his last season in college, he had very little production there throughout his college career. Jackson does not possess a variety of pass rush moves and heavily leans on a strong bull rush to generate pressure on the quarterback.
Jackson is slow out of his stance at times. He has naturally high pad level, and can lose leverage by standing too tall out of his stance. Jackson does have some stamina concerns on longer drives, and he also lacks great explosiveness and lateral agility as an athlete.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Jackson is not much of a threat as a pass rusher, and likely won’t develop into anything more than a decent pocket pusher against the pass. However, his run-defense ability can add a lot of value to an NFL team. To be as dominant against the run in the NFL as he was in college he will need to continue to add strength and improve his pad level, but he has a lot of potential to be a great run defender at the next level. Jackson projects as a nose tackle who can be an impactful run stuffer on early downs for a defense in the NFL.
Prospect Grade:
Fourth Round
Main Image: Matt Pendleton – USA Today Sports
