Today’s NFL requires cornerbacks that possess unshakable confidence, a short memory, and the ball skills to take full advantage when opposing quarterbacks make the mistake of challenging them.
One player who checks all of those boxes in the 2020 NFL draft class? Pitt’s Dane Jackson.
Jackson recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience at the Senior Bowl, which receivers were the toughest to face throughout his college career, and what kind of impact he’s going to make at the next level.
JM: What was your experience like at the Senior Bowl?
DJ: It was a great experience. It was fun to be around some of the best players in all of college football. This a very strong senior class in my opinion. I enjoyed competing against them all week long. I can’t complain about the experience. It was great.
JM: I imagine that you went out there with the thought of achieving something or proving something. Do you feel like you were successful?
DJ: I just wanted to prove that I could play at the highest level. I went out there and competed against the man across from me. We had some of the best receivers in college football out there. That’s what playing cornerback is all about. You have to go out there on a snap-by-snap basis and compete with the guy across from you. I went out there and laid it all on the line. I never let up.
JM: You had 12 pass break-ups during the 2019 season. What is it about your game that allows you to be around the ball so often?
DJ: It’s all about me being aggressive. I just have a good feel for when the ball is in the air. I’m able to get my hands in there and break up the pass. As a cornerback, my job is to not allow the receiver to catch the ball. It’s that simple.
JM: Do you have a preference regarding what coverage scheme you’re mainly utilized in at the next level?
DJ: The primary coverage I played in throughout my entire five years at Pittsburgh was press man. That’s what I’m most accustomed to. I’m not necessarily saying that I prefer that, but that’s probably what I’m most comfortable in.
JM: If you’re headed into the NFL with most of your experience at one form of coverage, press man is the one. You can’t survive in this league if you can’t play man.
DJ: Right, I fully agree with that (laughs). I think my experience in press man is going to serve me well going forward.
JM: Who are some of the best receivers you’ve ever covered throughout your time at Pittsburgh?
DJ: I would have to say Gabriel Davis from UCF. He’s in this draft class as well. I’d have to point to my former teammate at Pittsburgh, Tyler Boyd. He’s with the Cincinnati Bengals now and he’s been very successful. I was just a freshmen but he was super tough to go up against in practice. Dyami Brown from North Carolina was tough.
JM: The NFL Scouting Combine is fast approaching. Are you looking forward to any drills in particular?
DJ: I wouldn’t point out anything in particular. I’m trying to go out there and be the best version of myself in every drill I compete in. I plan on going out there and leaving it all out there. I’m trying to compete.
JM: What are three traits a successful cornerback must possess in your opinion?
DJ: You need to have a short memory if you’re gonna play this position at a high level. A receiver is gonna make a play from time-to-time. You do everything in your power to stop that from happening but that’s how the game goes. There’s a lot of great receivers out there and you’re gonna have to play against them. I also feel that you have to be aggressive and you have to be a ball-hawk. Those traits would be number two and three for me.
JM: What’s the best lesson any coach ever taught you?
DJ: I think the best lesson I was ever taught at Pittsburgh was that it’s never about what you’ve done in the past. You have to live and play in the present. That’s what’s gonna get you where you need to go.
JM: How do you cover a bigger receiver differently than you would a smaller, shiftier guy?
DJ: You have to get your hands on them as quickly as possible. Some of those bigger guys like to push off and be physical with you. You need to get your hands on them and control their movements.
JM: What kind of impact is Dane Jackson gonna make at the next level?
DJ: I’m an aggressive corner. I’m a winner and I’m not afraid to tackle. I love coming up in the run game and making a tackle. I don’t shy away from contact. Whichever team drafts me is adding a very hard worker to their franchise.
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