Some new faces on the Eagles defensive line. Tarron (pronounced tuh-ron) Jackson wears the No. 9 jersey because that was his age when his brother, Daron, passed away from leukemia. He played in four games as a reserve in his first year with the Chanticleers (three tackles, two for loss). He started one of eight games played the following year and posted 20 tackles, 4.5 for loss, with 3.5 sacks. Jackson started all 12 games in 2018, garnering third-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors (58 tackles, 11 for loss, with three sacks).
The Breakdown
Stocky defensive end with the strength and balanced base that helped him stack up production against Sun Belt competition over the years. He’s tough and aggressive at the point of attack but is not a natural bender, which could hurt his ability to fight off-angle blocks and anchor down against NFL opponents. He has a quick arm-over move that will serve him well when looking for gaps off the snap. Jackson is a face-up rusher missing the agility and athleticism to consistently win as an NFL rusher. His motor and strength to press through the edge are worthy play traits.
Jackson said he will take the same mentality to the NFL that he took to his career at Coastal, which led to him being named the 2020 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.
“I think I have to keep the same mindset I had throughout college,” he said. “Coming into college I already had a chip on my shoulder because I was doubted, and going into the NFL it’s going to be the same thing. I’ll have to work my way up, and build myself up every year getting better and better by working on my craft until I elevate to a higher level and be on that Pro Bowl level.”
The Eagles finished last in the NFC East at 4-11-1 last year. Their starting defensive ends were Derek Barnett, a fifth-year pro out of Tennessee, and Brandon Graham, a 12-year NFL veteran out of Michigan. They took a pair of defensive tackles among their six picks ahead of Jackson. He was their first defensive end selected. Some new faces on the Eagles defensive line.
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