Chad Jackson

WR · Florida
The two-year starter and Biletnikoff Award semifinalist decided to bypass his senior year to test his value in the National Football League in 2006. Jackson came into his own as a junior, proving to be an effective runner on reverses and a clutch short area pass catcher. Jackson was regarded as the best prep receiver produced by the state of Alabama since the days of Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome in the early 1970s at Colbert County High. During his time at Hoover High School, Jackson was selected to the Parade and Super Prep All-America teams. He was rated the best receiver in Alabama by Super Prep and named Class 6A Alabama Back of the Year. He was a member of the Alabama Super All-State team, was twice named Class 6A All-State and finished second for Alabama's Mr. Football Award as a senior. The three-year starter served as team captain as a senior, leading the squad to state Class 6A championships as a sophomore and a senior and to the state championship game as a junior. His team finished with a combined mark of 42-3 over his final three seasons, including a 13-1 senior campaign. He was chosen as the team MVP as a senior, when he caught 68 passes for 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns. He caught and threw a touchdown pass and had 145 yards receiving in his senior championship game. Jackson had 70 catches for 1,407 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. For his career, he scored 52 touchdowns and also saw time at free safety. In track, Jackson finished third at the state meet in the 300 meters. He also played basketball for three years before concentrating on football as a senior. As a true freshman at Florida, Jackson appeared in only four games on offense, seeing action in every game on special teams. He made three catches for 38 yards (12.7 avg) and a score, adding 47 yards on two kickoff returns while recording four solo tackles. Jackson played on all of the special team units as a sophomore while starting three games on offense. He ranked fourth on the squad with 29 catches for 648 yards (22.3 avg) and six touchdowns. Jackson gained 135 yards on seven kickoff returns (19.3 avg) and 17 yards on five punt returns, and posted a pair of solo tackles. He moved into the starting lineup at flanker in the second game of the 2005 season. Jackson went on to lead the Southeastern Conference with an average of 7.33 receptions per game. The first-team All-SEC choice led the team with a career-high 88 catches for 900 yards (10.2 avg) and nine touchdowns. He collected 89 yards and two scores on 16 carries (5.5 avg) and 18 yards on four punt returns. In 30 games on offense (39 total), Jackson started 14 times. He caught 120 passes for 1,586 yards (13.2 avg) and 16 touchdowns, rushed 17 times for 90 yards (5.3 avg) and a pair of scores and returned nine punts for 35 yards. He recorded six solo tackles and picked up 188 yards on 10 kickoff returns, finishing his career with an average of 63.3 all-purpose yards per game.