A year ago, Devon Jackson came to Eugene as a slender linebacker who was known for his speed. He had been recruited by a coaching staff that was no longer with the team but stayed committed to the Oregon Ducks despite the overhaul in leadership.
Throughout his first season, Jackson played in just five games, tallying one tackle on the year. Now, going into his sophomore year, the Omaha native is primed for a massive breakout, and he’s been the talk of the team going through fall camp thus far.
“He’s having a tremendous camp right now,” said LB Jeffrey Bassa. “He’s going to help the team play some good football this year. He’s stepping up as a young leader on the defense and the inside backer room.”
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Part of that stepping up is looking more like the part. Jackson said on Wednesday after practice that he has gained over 20 pounds — from 207 to 228 — since coming to Oregon a year ago. More than just a big weight gain, though, Jackson said that he’s gaining the right type of weight to be more impactful on the field.
“I just had to put on a lot of weight, start eating the right things, cut out a lot of sugar,” Jackson said. “It’s kind of hard to do because I’m from the Midwest; I like eating steaks and stuff.”
That body change has had a direct impact to his performance on the field, though, where he now feels more at home with the physicality that comes with an inside linebacker position.
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“I feel like I’m not getting thrown around a lot this year. I feel like with my athleticism, I could hold the weight. Working with the strength staff and the nutrition staff, they helped me put on the right weight and not the bad weight.”
Regarded as one of the fastest guys on the team, Jackson now has a claim to one of the most physically imposing as well, able to fly around the defense and deliver punishing blows.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen in my entire life someone that big move that fast,” said fellow linebacker Connor Soelle at Oregon’s Media Day. “That was my first impression. Coming here and seeing him outrun defensive backs, it’s just kind of amazing.”
Oregon’s got a lot of talent at the top of the LB depth chart with Jeffrey Bassa returning, and the addition of Jestin Jacobs from the Iowa Hawkeyes, but depth is needed.
If Jackson can prove to be as good as the buzz makes him sound throughout fall camp, then the Ducks could have a real playmaker on their hands.
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