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With 57 days left until the Virginia Tech battles Georgia Tech, we turn our attention to one of the numberless Hokies on roster Mr. Carl Jackson. The Hokies are thin at cornerback thanks to the early departure of Jayron Hosley. Jackson will have his chance this fall to prove that he can be a quality backup. He’ll be battling with Davion Tookes at field corner for the backup job behind Kyle Fuller. For a walk-on, just having the opportunity to compete for a spot is all you can ask for. We’ll just have to wait and see if Jackson can make anymore headway on the depth chart this fall.
The Scoop
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 182 lbs
Position: Cornerback
Year: R-Sophomore
High School: Woodward Academy
How Did He Get Here?
Jackson was a standout cornerback at Woodward Academy in Georgia and was recruited by several schools. However, he chose the Virginia Tech walk-on offer over all the others. While Jackson might be undersized, his senior film is pretty impressive and its easy to see why he jumped at the chance to play here in Blacksburg. Even at 5’8”, Jackson isn’t afraid to hit anybody.
2011 Season Rewind
The Georgia native didn’t dress for any games last year but did participate on the scout team in practice. According to Hokiesports.com, the coaches think he has progressed significantly since last season.
2012 Prediction
With so little depth at cornerback, this could be the perfect storm for a walk-on like Jackson to see some meaningful playing time. Obviously, cornerback is not a position where we sub people in and out with regularity. We did so more last season because of different defensive alignments and because we had a very trustworthy 5th year senior in Cris Hill as our primary backup. The Hokies won't have that luxury this season as the two backups at cornerback might just be the two starters at Rover and Free Safety. If anything were to happen to Kyle Fuller or Antone Exum, I think you would see Detrick Bonner or Kyshoen Jarrett move back over to cornerback before the Hokies would start Davion Tookes or Donaldven Manning.
That's where a player like Jackson could step in and actually receive some reps. But, he'll need an injury to occur first and that's not something you want to hope or wish for. As a prospect, I like Jackson's quickness and abilities but his size is a factor. That's why I think you could see the walk-on mainly used on special teams this fall and as a backup in practice. However, with Virginia Tech's history of turnover in the secondary, anything is possible in 2013 although he may have to battle with a few very talented incoming freshmen for playing time and a slot on the depth chart.
Completely Made Up Fact
After Lacrosse season ended, Jackson thought about joining his high school’s “Quidditch” team. Unfortunately, due to a few accidents involving kids falling off brooms from unsafe heights, the sport was eventually cancelled.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
What do you make of Kendall Fuller’s haircut at the Opening
What did it say? Like did he have a team cut in it or something?
One side had VT carved in his head the other side had the clemson sign carved in his head. But he did say he liked the left side better which was the VT sign. What’s the latest with Teller is he still coming next weekend for camp.
Have to feel good about that.
Man it sounds awesome to hear Hand say over and over how Bud Foster is his favorite recruiter. He doesn’t even wanna talk about his top schools till his sr year but you have to feel we are way up there. In the end i think its an us and Bama race. Whats your feel on Teller? still 50/50 or you think he is swaying more towards UVA again. I am surprised that nethier him or Mizzel has committed to UVA yet that does make it more favorable for us. Any Greene news? I am afraid he will go to Clemson for sure but him still having not committed makes me think we have a chance. Any news on DJ Reid i thought we would have locked him up by now kinda surprised we havent
Bud has done an excellent job getting to know D. Hand. DH, has told everybody he will not talk about his school preference until next year…and Bud is setting up VT very well for next year. If we have a top 3 National Defense this year I think we will be one of his top schools. Prediction of his top 5 would be VT, Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan and USC and as usual Clemson. As for Reid, it seems to be a cat and mouse situation with whether Greene will keep VT in his top 2/3? Reid wants to play RB and will not go to the same school as Greene, looks like an either/or situation. I think Teller’s big interest in VT is similar to Hand’s…if Fuller signs and with the way Fisher has dazzled at the NIKE 7v7..The VT is Defense looking good the next few years, why not be a part of that? Also, Bama is putting the full court press on Fisher…stating publicly that his is a Mark Baron clone.
Fisher told 247 that he had no reason to decommit from Tech, that we were the perfect fit, and also that he loved the coaching staff. Hopefully we can get some commitments next weekend, I feel like we need it.
Good stuff LJ, Fisher is excellent i agree i was stoked when he was our first commit and will be disappointed to say the least if he doesn’t end up a Hokie. I feel good about it though his boy Caleb is a hokie and he is walking into a sitution where he could see the field as a true freshman and surely by a redshirt freshmen. Agreed with Reid waiting it out for Green i really want Reid but it goes without saying Green is the big fish. So what exactly did you mean by your comment about Teller? He is impressed with Foster just like Hand? I think he is more on the fence than ppl in hooville want to admit they are convienced he is a lock
Just that Bud is one of the BEST defense minds in the college game and if you are a top VA state defensive player you know what he is all about from friends, players and the media. So if Bud offers you a ride you should take it seriously. Teller is being recruited by UVA as the next Chris Long and UVA does put players in the NFL. But BUD is a player’s coach and as it looks now he has the horses to have VT positioned as a top defense for several years to come and both Hand and Teller know that. Hand has a long time to make his choice so no need to speculate his commitment just yet while Teller may have wanted to commit early to UVA but I think he knows VT may be a more enjoyable ride! Question is what is more meaningful to him as a person & player? As for Fisher “Ghosts of the recruiting seasons past” are conjured up because of Steven Anthony’s, Travis Hughes and others who have had a last minute change of heart in recent years. Both Anthony & Hughes look like stars now and Fisher could be a 5 star after his senior season and everybody will be looking to change his mind…
Does anyone know how Kendall Fuller did in the ESPN Opening combine? Did he run a good 40?
I think Fuller likes clemson more but his family ties will ultimately land him for Tech. Every interview i’ve seen he seems more jolly when talking about clemson then he does Tech. Our staff must be really boring recruiters because if we lose him to another ACC school especially an average ACC school then us die hard fans should have no confidence in them just like in Big games. STEP IT UP COACHING STAFF!
Wow that’s untrue. Calm down. Kendall likes Clemson but I still don’t see him going there over VT.