2017 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Jan. 2 Bowl Games

Adoree’ Jackson (CB – USC)

Adoree’ Jackson is one of those prospects who is left out of many first-round mock drafts this time of year, but will be recognized a lot more as the draft process wears on. His athletic ability is off the charts and will be on full display at the Scouting Combine and USC Pro Day. At that point, Jackson will be locked into round one of the 2017 NFL Draft.

First, he’ll face Penn State in the Rose Bowl. The Nittany Lions winning the Big Ten title was one of the biggest surprises this season and James Franklin’s squad will look to finish off the season by defeating the Trojans. That won’t come easy as USC was one of the hottest teams in the country down the stretch. The key for Penn State will be keeping the ball out of the hands of Adoree’ Jackson. That includes offensively, defensively and on special teams.

Despite missing spring practice to compete for the USC track team, Jackson had the best season of his career in 2016. He set career highs in tackles (51), interceptions (4) and pass breakups (11), all while gaining over 1,000 all-purpose yards. Jackson has a bright future as a return man in the NFL, but can also be a reliable cornerback if utilized correctly. He won’t fit schemes which want corners to be physical and press wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, but he will be a solid fit for defenses employing a lot of off coverage from man or zone.