Gabe Jackson, Senior, Guard, Mississippi State
Overview:
An All-SEC selection as a junior, guard Gabe Jackson decided to return to school for his senior year. The 320+ pounder took a redshirt year as a freshman. Jackson has played in every Bulldogs game since. In the linemen-dominated Southeastern Conference, even playing for the oft overlooked MSU, Jackson has managed to make a name for himself. Playing guard though keeps his ceiling down. It is commonly thought that if a lineman was truly an elite athlete with the requisite explosiveness, strength and quickness to excel as a pro, he'd be playing tackle. Perhaps the 2013 NFL draft helped dispel that notion, with a few offensive guards being first round selections. But Jackson must still fight that stereotype, whether warranted or not.
Final Projection:
Being one of the more highly rated guard prospects in the country does not guarantee Gabe Jackson will be taken on day one. He is not thought of as having all the elite skills required of top picks. That being said, there is plenty of time and room for development. A successful senior year can do wonders for his draft stock, especially battling against those SEC defensive pass rushers every snap. Playing in Jackson's favor is the fact that offensive line is often a position where a single player can shine even when his team does not.
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