When the Washington Huskies take the field for their first spring practice on Wednesday, one player to keep an eye on is wide receiver Giles Jackson. The senior was redshirted by Kalen DeBoer’s coaching staff during the 2023 season, which ended up being a very important decision for Jedd Fisch’s staff.
The 5-foot-9, 178-pound receiver is penciled into a starting role and should turn into an important member of the receiving corps in 2024, which starts at spring practice. Jackson was a key member of the second team throughout fall camp last season and built quite a rapport with quarterback Austin Mack.
Jackson became Mack’s go-to option on third down and when he was under pressure. Now, with Will Rogers at the helm, that trend should continue for Jackson, who could turn into the Mississippi State’s No. 2 target behind Jeremiah Hunter and be a key piece of Washington’s offense.
After recording 14 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown in 2023, he could see a major increase in his bottom line as Fisch’s scheme will ask him to play a variety of different roles and could very well lead to a career-high in targets in his final year of eligibility.
As wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings continues to develop the younger players on the roster, Jackson should be a reliable member of the passing game who could establish himself as a safety blanket for Rogers as the Huskies move into the Big Ten.