Chevis Jackson
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| College: | LSU |
| NFL draft: | 2008 / Round: 3 / Pick: 68 |
| Career history | |
Chevis Dauro Jackson (born December 11, 1985 in Mobile, Alabama) is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent.
Early life
In high school at St. Paul's Episcopal School, Chevis Jackson played wide receiver, defensive back and return specialist. Jackson recorded 40 tackles and seven interceptions on defense in 2003 as a senior, and also caught 31 passes for 660 yards and five touchdowns at receiver. He fielded 16 kickoffs for 415 yards and 13 punts for 80 yards as a junior and made 45 catches for 850 yards and nine touchdowns.
Collegiate career
Freshman season (2004)
Chevis Jackson played in all 12 games as a true freshman as a defensive back. He finished the season with five tackles and three pass break-ups in nickel and dime packages. While subbing in for injured Corey Webster, Jackson recorded two tackles and a pass break-up against the Florida Gators.
Sophomore season (2005)
In his sophomore season in 2005, Jackson started as a cornerback and ranked in the Top 10 in the nation in five categories. While starting all 12 games on the season, Jackson recorded 47 tackles, an interception and three pass break-ups. He also tallied 3.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and recovered a fumble. In a victory over the Florida Gators, Jackson recorded a career-best seven tackles. He then added 6 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a forced fumble in the win over Appalachian State.
Junior season (2006)
Jackson, as a junior, started all 13 games of the 2006 season. He finished the season with 46 tackles, two interceptions, and a team-high 14 pass break-ups. Jackson was key on the Tigers' defense that ranked #3 in the nation in pass efficiency defense. He also fielded 15 kicks for a 6.7 average. Jackson's pass break-up totals ranked second in the SEC. In the victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks, Jackson recorded a career-high 7 tackles. Against the Florida Gators, Jackson recorded 4 tackles, an interception and a pass break-up. He then recorded three tackles, broke up three passes, and grabbed an interception. In the 2007 Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, Jackson led the Tigers with 6 tackles. Jackson finished his junior season, ranked #8 on the all-time school list for passes defended with 23.
Senior season (2007)
Chevis Jackson opened his final collegiate season with two tackles and two pass break-ups against Mississippi State. Against Middle Tennessee State, Jackson recorded three tackles. In the 28-16 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks, he recorded 4 tackles, an interception, and 3 pass break-ups. In the 34-9 win over Tulane, Jackson tallied three tackles and an interception. In the 28-24 victory over the Florida Gators, he recorded 4 tackles and a pass defense. In the 37-43 loss to Kentucky, Jackson recorded two tackles and an interception. In the 30-24 win over Auburn, Jackson recorded 5 tackles and three pass break-ups. In the victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide, Jackson totaled one tackle, one interception, and four pass defenses. Against Ole Miss, he recorded 4 tackles and two pass break-ups. In the 21-14 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC Championship, Jackson totaled 6 tackles and two pass break-ups. In the BCS National Championship victory over Ohio State, Jackson recorded two tackles and grabbed an interception that he returned 34 yards.
Chevis Jackson finished his senior season with 42 tackles and 5 interceptions. Jackson earned first-team All-SEC honors at defensive back.
Professional career
Upon graduating from LSU in 2007, Jackson entered the 2008 NFL Draft. Jackson was then invited to the NFL Combine. Jackson's vertical jump was 6th best for cornerbacks at the Combine, his broad jump was 8th best, and his 3 cone drill time was 7th best.[1]
Jackson then worked out at LSU's Pro Day, where he recorded a notable 40-inch vertical jump, which was one of the best out of any prospect at their pro day.[2]
| Pre-draft measureables | |||||||||
| Wt | 40 yd | 20 ss | 3-cone | Vert | BP | Broad Jump | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *192 lb | *4.42s | *4.11 | *6.96 | 41" | *14 | *10'05" | |||
(* represents NFL Combine)
Atlanta Falcons
Jackson was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 3rd round (68th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He recorded his first career interception on a 95-yard return for a touchdown on November 9, 2008; in a Week 10 meeting against the division rival New Orleans Saints. His return became the second-longest in Falcons history behind a 101-yard INT return by Tom Pridemore against the San Francisco 49ers on September 20, 1981.
He recorded his second interception on January 3, 2009 in a playoff game against Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals. His second quarter interception lead to a Matt Ryan TD pass which gave Atlanta a 17-14 lead going into the half.
His nickname, given to him by former teammate Mike Peterson, is "Baby Blue Jazz Hands McCarthy". On September 4, 2010 he was released from the team in order to reach the 53-man roster limit.