Name: J.C. Jackson

Height: 5-11

Weight: 195

Position: DB

Why did he redshirt?

Jackson suffered a shoulder injury before arriving to UF that required him to have surgery. That surgery meant Jackson was non-contact throughout the summer and right up until the first week of the season. Jackson was cleared to play fully and saw action against Eastern Michigan but re-injured his shoulder blocking for Andre Debose’s 55-yard punt return in the third quarter.

Depth at the position:

Jackson was an electric two-way player at Immokalee High School playing wide receiver and defensive back. While the former staff promised Jackson that he would play cornerback, people close to Jackson told Gator Country a month ago that the new staff had approached him about working out on offense this spring.

On defense, Florida is loaded at cornerback. The Gators return Vernon Hargreaves and Brian Poole as well as sophomores Quincy Wilson, Jalen Tabor and Duke Dawson, who all saw a lot of playing time in 2014.

Jackson is certainly talented enough to play and get a spot in the rotation with that group.

At receiver the depth is there but the talent level is not. Jackson could play in the slot where Florida will work out Latroy Pittman and C.J. Worton, as well as incoming freshman Antonio Callaway.

If Jackson does move over to offense, expect him to be able to make an impact right away as he is a threat to take the ball to the house whenever the ball is in his hands.

Player Evaluation:

Jackson is a natural athlete and a gym rat. He’s 5-11 and every bit of the 195 that Florida has him listed at. He’s as strong as they come and one of the fastest players on the team.

Defensively, Jackson has quick feet and fluid hips to turn and run with receivers. He’s physical, likes to get his hands on receivers at he line of scrimmage and throw them off of their route at the snap. Jackson has great top end speed and can turn and run with any receiver.

On offense, Jackson goes over the middle without fear and can stretch the defense with his speed. He has good hands and is a playmaker.

2015 Prognosis:

Jackson is going to find a way to get on the field. We wrote the same thing last summer when he had just enrolled. Jackson is too talented on either offense or defense to keep on the sideline and the redshirt freshman will also be in the mix to return punts and kicks.