Rusty Simmons
DeSean Jackson, an All-America receiver and returner, will forgo his final season of college eligibility at Cal and enter the 2008 NFL draft, he announced Tuesday via teleconference. Jackson's on-field flare for the dramatic spilled over off it. He waited until the deadline to announce a decision that most expected all along. Three years ago, he held both USC and Cal hats before choosing the Bears in a televised signing day announcement. As of late Monday, Jackson's father, Bill, hadn't seen his son all day and wouldn't hazard a guess on his decision. Even Jackson's brother, Byron, said he never could get his brother to broach the subject in a series of video interviews.
Still, the decision appeared obvious to outsiders. Jackson, a 6-foot, 172-pounder who runs the 40-yard dash in sub-4.3 seconds, is expected to be picked in the first round of the draft. Scouts Inc. lists him as the nation's No. 11 overall prospect, and ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Jackson as the top junior receiver in the country.
Jackson ranks third all-time at Cal in receiving yards (2,423) and receiving touchdowns (22) and sixth in receptions (162). He has 28 touchdowns in 36 games, including a school- and conference-record six punt returns for scores, and he has 52 career plays of 20 yards or more - 23 percent of his 226 touches. One of the country's most dynamic players, Jackson leaves a series of indelible images in his wake.
He scored on his first two collegiate touches, a 31-yard reception and a 49-yard punt return. Last season, he added a school- and conference- record with a highlight reel, 95-yard punt return touchdown against Arizona. This year, he added video-game-like moves to his repertoire, shaking a series of would-be tacklers on a 77-yard punt return against Tennessee and embarrassing Oregon with a stop-and-go move for his second touchdown catch of the day.
Jackson emerged in the national spotlight at Long Beach Poly High, where he was a Parade All-American, the MVP of the U.S. Army All-America Bowl and rated as a five-star prospect by every recruiting Web site.
With the graduation of fellow receivers Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins, Cal will be looking to fill a trio of productive slots. Freshman Michael Calvin sparkled on the scout team, redshirt freshman Jeremy Ross is considered a hard-to-find mix of size and speed and junior LaReylle Cunningham may have the best hands on the team.
6 comments:
self centered prick
I am glad he is leaving as he disappeared too often in big games.
He is too small for the NFL and will get jammed at the line by CBs that crap bigger than Jackson is.
Tedford needs to run the spread as he does not have any standout stars catching the ball this year.
hmmm... thanks for selecting cal 3 years ago jackson. He is mr. excitement as he proved time and time again. He he had 3 very good years, eventhough 2 of them were with quarterbacks that had trouble finding their receivers (freshman and junior years). Sure he was cocky, and all but he also was high visibility, and helped to put a face on Cal football. His future success, and there will be plenty, will only help future potential recruits know that they can come to cal and go on to the next level.
I disagree with the statement he disappeared in big games. Certainly not against Tennessee and oregon, 2 very big games. Hell, not bad against arizona state, ucla and the bowl game either. The guy was loaded with talent, and it was simply amazing that he ever chose cal.
Jackson should have accomplished more...i blame Longshore/Tedford for not getting him the ball!
i think jackson deserves the break. i dont know what you guys are talking about
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