Nick Jackson has been a tremendous addition to the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ defense.
For a group that was replacing last season’s Butkus Award winner in Jack Campbell and another starter in Seth Benson, Iowa needed stability at linebacker. The Hawkeyes found that in the form of Virginia transfer Nick Jackson.
After three straight seasons with triple-digit tackles with the Cavaliers and All-ACC recognition, Jackson came over to Iowa City and delivered much of the same for the black and gold. Ahead of Iowa’s date versus Tennessee in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Jackson has tallied 99 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, four passes defensed and has forced a pair of fumbles.
He did it all of that alongside a first-team All-American and Butkus Award semifinalist in fellow Hawkeye backer Jay Higgins. That’s pretty impressive.
What’s also impressive is the fact that Jackson is Pro Football Focus‘ top graded Power Five transfer linebacker.
Top graded Transfer Players at each position from the 2023 season✈️ pic.twitter.com/wdjyXWwEiV
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 15, 2023
Jackson finished the regular season with a defense grade of 82.1 and a run defense grade of 86.5. His pass rush grade was also a very good 79.6. Jackson also boasts a tackling grade of 90.6, which was tops among all Hawkeyes.
Jackson has at least one more chance to impress versus the Volunteers on Jan. 1, 2024, at noon CT.
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