rain.png
Saturday April 1st, 2023 10:05AM

College football: Dan Jackson stays focused on improvement

By Bo Wilson Sports Editor
Related Articles
  Contact Editor

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson isn't satisfied.

Although the junior walk-on from North Hall is fourth in tackles (10 total), he says he's got a lot to work on. 

"This week, I have tried to focus on two things," he said. "I want to be the best tackler I can be. I wrote down that I have to bring my feet and no bending at the waist and keep my head up. Secondly, knowing and being more aware of down and distance situations, more specifically third down. That is what I want to focus on."

Jackson didn't have any issues picking off the former 5-start QB, Spencer Rattler, last week in Georgia's 48-7 win over South Carolina. 

"Obviously, it was a big deal for me. It is my first one I am really proud of," he said. "First off, we got great pressure from our defensive line like we had been getting all game. We had them rattled. (Spencer Rattler) made a rushed decision thanks to our defensive line. Once the ball was in the air, I work that every day, and I tried to high point the ball. Thankfully, I came down with it."

Jackson came on to the scene during Georgia's national championship run. Injuries had decimated the Bulldogs' secondary, leaving the door open for Jackson to prove himself to the coaching staff.

Jackson finished the 2021 campaign seventh in tackles behind Lewis Cine, Nakobe Dean, Channing Tindall, Quay Walker, Nolan Smith and Derion Kendrick. Five of those six players are playing in the NFL right now. Smith returned for his senior season.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart, talking about defensive lineman Zion Logue and Jackson, said both are "max effort guys."

"They epitomize what the culture of this program is. You are tough. You are physical. You listen. You try hard. you are selfless," Smart said. "They are all those things. That includes some talent. They have talent. You have to have talent to be here. You would not be able to play. Talent is not the overriding factor with those two guys. Caring about the program is. They set the tone. They were out there today in 90-something-degree heat, and I went over to both of them. We were getting our touches in and bumping up and saying that we need to go to work. They drive that part. Not just them, but so many others like them create a good bond among the guys to work hard."

Top-ranked Georgia plays host to Kent State Saturday at Sanford Stadium. Kick-off is set for noon on SECN+ and ESPN+.

© Copyright 2023 AccessWDUN.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
McLaren hires Barnhart, considering Kyle Busch for Indy 500
The head of McLaren Racing held a town hall Thursday at its IndyCar shop to introduce new hire Brian Barnhart and quell any concerns over this week's...
6:11PM ( 6 hours ago )
College football: Dan Jackson stays focused on improvement
Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson isn't satisfied.
4:07PM ( 8 hours ago )
Football: Under-rated 8-5A opens en masse with 2 huge showdowns
Region 8-5A had teams move up and down with four of the seven teams in the newly-constructed region being new. The additions of Region 8-4A playoff teams Jefferson and Flowery Branch, along with Class 6A teams Winder-Barrow and Heritage-Conyers, figured to give it some instant flair, and competition...
12:50PM ( 11 hours ago )
Sports
Football: Muschamp talks Georgia, Malaki Starks, Dan Jackson during presser
Will Muschamp said he has the "best job in America."
5:06PM ( 1 month ago )
NCAA D2 women's golf: Three-way tie for individual lead, Anderson leads after Day 1
Academy of Art's Anahi Servin, Colorado Christian's Faith Kilgore, and Lee University's Alex Naumovski share the early lead at NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championships at Chattahoochee Golf Club on Tuesday...
7:30PM ( 4 months ago )
Basketball: Tom Crean out at UGA; search is underway for new men's coach
Tom Crean is out as head coach of the University of Georgia men's basketball progr
6:16PM ( 6 months ago )
College Sports
College football: Rabun County's Stockton getting high praise from Smart
It's not often you hear any college head football coach talk about the scout team quarterback in a weekly presser.
9:52AM ( 14 hours ago )
Georgia's 2023 football schedule released
Seven home games including four to start the season highlight the 2023 University of Georgia football schedule announced Tuesday night by the Southeastern Conference on the SEC Network...
By Georgia Sports Communications
7:41PM ( 2 days ago )
Dominant Dogs: Is this Georgia team even better than 2021?
College football coaches are notorious for hyping up their opponents with preposterous accolades. Still, it was a bit jarring to hear Kent State’s Sean Lewis sizing up the reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs...
By Paul Newberry AP Sports Writer
8:02PM ( 3 days ago )
College football: Georgia-Missouri kick off time announced
The Georgia-Missouri game in Columbia will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1.
By AccessWDUN Staff
1:14PM ( 3 days ago )
No. 1 Georgia, D sending messages after rout of Gamecocks
Georgia coach Kirby Smart and his No. 1 Bulldogs are sending messages to anyone who thought they were going to drop off after a national championship...
By Jeffrey Collins AP Sports Writer
8:45AM ( 4 days ago )