Patriots praise J.C. Jackson: ‘He has the best ball skills I’ve seen’

“He has the best ball skills I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot of corners,” Stephon Gilmore on J.C. Jackson.

The New England Patriots have an emerging star in second-year cornerback J.C. Jackson.

He’s just one component of an absolutely loaded secondary, but he’s beginning to draw in attention. Jackson recorded two interceptions in the Patriots’ 34-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He now has five interceptions for the season — right behind Stephon Gilmore with six, whose undoubtedly the best cornerback in the NFL.

Jackson has stepped up for the injured Jason McCourty and he’s making the most of his opportunity as a starter. His ball skills are receiver-like and everyone around him will attest to that. The Patriots have a league-high 25 interceptions this season, so this praise is coming from arguably the best secondary in the league.

“He has the best ball skills I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot of corners,” Gilmore said, as transcribed by NESN. “He plays the ball as good as anybody.”

Here’s one example of those ball skills.

And, this play sealed the game.

Veteran safety Duron Harmon shared a story about Jackson’s first season, and he continued to pile on the praise.

“I remember J.C.’s first year last year, we were down a scout-team receiver,” Harmon said. “He went over there and played receiver and was making plays, catching the ball, running some good routes. He kept going around saying, ‘I’m really supposed to be a receiver.’ And I was like, ‘No, you’re supposed to be a corner. That’s why you’re here. That’s why you got (signed).’

“But his ball skills are phenomenal. Not too many guys can, on a fade, run with the receiver, turn around, locate the ball, high-point the ball — and he’s done that just continuously over the last two years. I mean, the sky is the limit for that guy right there. What was that, his fifth interception of the year? And he’s, in some ways, our fourth cornerback. It just shows you the type of ball skills — elite ball skills — that he has.”

Talk has surrounded Gilmore and his ability to play the wide receiver position, but maybe Jackson should get some consideration as well.

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