Oct 7, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive linemen Landon Jackson (40) reacts after a made field goal during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Landon Jackson DL/EDGE Arkansas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Landon Jackson DL/EDGE Arkansas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: VERSATILE DL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/08/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.68 seconds (91%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.1 DOB: 01/02/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUB-POSITION: VERSATILE DL | |
| Last Updated: 02/08/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.68 seconds (91%*) | |
| Age: 22.1 DOB: 01/02/2003 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 87.4 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
|
84% |
| Pass Rush: |
|
80% |
| Run Defense: |
|
95% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#20
Position rank:
#8
|
||
| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1524 | ||
ESPN RATING: 85/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 94/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Foskey - Notre Dame |
|
75% |
| Keion White - Georgia Tech |
|
73% |
| Lukas Van Ness - Iowa |
|
69% |
Draft Profile: Bio
The journey from Texas high school legend to SEC standout wasn't exactly a straight line for Landon Jackson. The Texarkana native terrorized offenses at Pleasant Grove High School, racking up an eye-popping 45 career sacks and earning Texas 4A Defensive Player of the Year honors. His dominant prep career made him one of the most sought-after defensive line prospects in the 2021 class, with powerhouse programs like Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee all vying for his services.After initially landing at LSU, Jackson's career took an unexpected turn. A quiet freshman season in Baton Rouge led him to transfer to Arkansas, where he would transform from promising prospect to All-SEC performer. His development arc showed steady progression - from rotation player in 2022 to emerging force in 2023, when he led the Razorbacks with 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The breakthrough earned him First-Team All-SEC honors from the coaches, validating the immense potential he showed as a prep star.
Jackson's 2024 season further cemented his status as one of the SEC's most disruptive defenders. He became the first Razorback to record sacks in three consecutive games since 2022, highlighted by a dominant stretch against Ole Miss, Texas, and Louisiana Tech. His signature performance came against Texas A&M, where he notched eight tackles and two sacks, becoming the only Razorback since 1997 to record multiple games with 8+ tackles, 3+ TFLs and 2+ sacks. A preseason Second-Team All-American selection, Jackson's consistent havoc-wreaking earned him spots on the Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award watch lists before his season was cut short by injury against Missouri.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Devastating length and power at the point of attack - consistently drives back tight ends and creates immediate displacement against the run
- Shows advanced hand technique in pass rush - throws a nasty cross-chop move and knows how to set up his counters
- Excellent edge-setter who plays with natural leverage despite his height - anchors and redirects pulling guards with ease
- Brings serious juice as a stunter - fluid lateral movement and timing when executing twists and loops
- High football IQ shows up in run fits - maintains gap integrity and rarely gets caught out of position
- Relentless motor from snap to whistle - routinely makes hustle plays in pursuit and fights through multiple blocks
- Versatile defensive line piece - showed he can win from multiple alignments between 3-tech and wide-9
- Natural power player who converts speed to power effectively - can walk back tackles when he times up his bull rush
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited bend and flexibility around the arc - struggles to flatten and turn the corner against athletic tackles
- Initial get-off is more methodical than explosive - won't consistently threaten the edge with pure speed
- Can play too high at times in pass rush, allowing blockers to get into his frame and stall his momentum
- Not a natural space player - looks mechanical when asked to change direction or operate in coverage
- Still developing a complete pass rush plan - relies heavily on power moves and needs to expand his repertoire
Scouting Report: Summary
Jackson projects as a starting base end in an even front or strong-side defensive end in a 3-4 scheme where his run-game dominance and developing pass rush can be maximized. His combination of size, power, and technical refinement gives him an extremely high floor as a run defender from day one. While he may not profile as a double-digit sack artist, his ability to set a strong edge and push the pocket will make him a valuable early-down player with upside to develop into an every-down force.The team that drafts Jackson will be getting a scheme-versatile defender who can contribute in multiple ways. His best fit comes in a defense that emphasizes controlling the line of scrimmage and uses creative pressure packages to create favorable rush opportunities. Look for him to make an immediate impact against the run while his pass rush arsenal continues to expand. With proper coaching and development of his hand usage and rush plans, Jackson has the tools to become a cornerstone defensive lineman who excels in early downs and contributes in passing situations.
His skill set and physical traits remind me of Alex Highsmith coming out of Charlotte - a power-based edge defender who wins with length, technique and relentless effort more than pure explosiveness. Jackson's ability to dominate the run game while offering pass rush upside makes him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their defensive line rotation early on day two of the draft.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
Landon Jackson percentiles vs other Defensive Lines (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Landon Jackson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
50.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
17.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.