The 2020 NFL draft class is loaded at wide receiver, with big names from powerhouse programs likely to dominate the early rounds.
But if your favorite NFL team is looking for a steal in the later rounds of this year’s draft, their search should turn up plenty of intriguing options, including Western Kentucky’s Lucky Jackson.
Jackson recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about how he got his nickname, how he was able to put up such big numbers for the Hilltoppers, and what kind of skill set he brings to the next level.
JM: How did you get the nickname “Lucky?”
LJ: It came from my parents actually. They only planned to have one child which was my older sister. I kinda came along and they considered themselves blessed to have a second child. They nicknamed me Lucky and it stuck with me ever since. That’s what everybody calls me now.
JM: I feel like that name could have been in “The Irishman” or something. Let Martin Scorsese hear about it, and he’d cast you immediately.
LJ: Yeah, that’s what people tell me (laughs). My coaches always used to joke around that I could be a country singer or something with a name like that. That’s another funny story, I get that a lot. “Lucky Jackson? You should be a country singer!”
JM: It just so happens that you’re a pretty good football player, as well. You posted 94 catches last season, and more than 1,100 receiving yards. How do you look back on the 2019 season?
LJ: It was a good season. It was a great accomplishment for our senior class. We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs together, we went through a coaching change. We bounced back in a major way after going 3-9 the year before. We put together a great season and won a lot of games over some great opponents like Charlotte.
We went on to compete in a bowl game and to come out with a win over Western Michigan was the icing on the cake. It was the greatest season I ever had and a terrific team accomplishment. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without our great coaching staff.
JM: What was it about your game in 2019 that allowed you to be so productive?
LJ: I would credit that to me being a student of the game. I learned a lot off the field this year. It’s kinda funny when people think it just happened overnight. I put in a lot of work off the field. The game extends far beyond game-day. If you put in work behind the scenes, I promise you that you’ll see it pay off. I spent a lot of time in the film room and in my playbook. I spent a lot of time in the weight room. I understood where to be on the field at all times.
I think that my football I.Q. is the strongest part of my game. Spending that extra time in the classroom slowed the game down for me. Everything just became so much easier. It all starts to make sense. I was able to play fast.
JM: Do you have a favorite route to run?
LJ: Not in particular. I like any route that gets me the ball (laughs). I can run every route and I would say that I enjoy them equally. I can’t single anything out. I just wanna go up and get the ball.
JM: Who are some of the best defensive backs you’ve squared off with?
LJ: I wouldn’t single out any names in particular but there’s some programs that come to mind. FAU had a good group of cornerbacks. They played some physical defense against me. They’re a long, physical group. We played against Louisiana Tech two years ago and they had a good group, as well. Amik Robertson definitely stood out in that game. He’s pretty well known nation wide, he’s a member of this 2020 NFL draft class. We had some good battles.
JM: If you could catch a pass from one NFL quarterback, who would it be and why?
LJ: It’s tough to pick just one, but I would probably go with Tom Brady. He’s been around forever and he’s the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. Who wouldn’t wanna catch a pass from Tom Brady? Whether you even play football or not, everybody wants to catch a pass from the GOAT. To have that opportunity would be crazy for me.
JM: Why should an NFL team give Lucky Jackson a chance?
LJ: They should give me a chance because I’m a guy that’s gonna come to work every day. I’m gonna give it my all. I’m a reliable guy they can trust both on and off the field.
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