North Hall's Daniel Jackson is making headlines at the University of Georgia.
The redshirt sophomore has worked his way up the depth chart for the Bulldogs this year. Jackson made the biggest headline of his young career when he blocked a punt in the endzone against then-No. 8 Arkansas. The Dogs went on to win that game, 37-0.
"It was something that we worked on all week during practice," Jackson said during the Tuesday presser. "I feel like that is what really led us to be able to block that punt. We had two shots at it, really, but we were able to execute on the second try, thankfully."
Georgia coach Kirby Smart, answering a question from fellow North Hall grad, Drew Hubbard, who works for the university newspaper -- The Red & Black -- said Jackson is a special player.
"Daniel Jackson is the most untold story that we have on our team," Smart said. "All he does is give you everything he's got every day. I love the kid. He's a special player."
Smart also said that Jackson deserves a scholarship and "will get one as soon as one comes available."
In Georgia's 34-10 win over No. 11 Auburn, Jackson led the Bulldogs with six tackles -- five solo. He has 13 total tackles on the season.
Jackson led North Hall in tackles and rushing his senior season, compiling 76 tackles on defense and 1,084 rushing yards and 18 TDs. But he wasn't heavily recruited out of high school by the Power 5 schools. He had offers from Mercer and Air Force, and a preferred walk-on spot at UGA.
He wasted no time taking Charlton Warren up on his Classic City offer.
"Coming out of high school, I had a really good senior season," Jackson said. "Before that, I did not really get many looks or offers. I had some smaller offers my senior year from schools like Mercer and Air Force. They came late. I reached out to Coach (Charlton) Warren, and he offered me a preferred walk-on spot here, and UGA is where I have always wanted to come, so I could not pass that up."
The top-ranked Bulldogs will play host to No. 11 Kentucky on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/10/1046343/cfb-north-halls-jackson-climbing-his-way-up-the-depth-chart-at-uga