Wednesday, July 17, 2013

2013 Season Countdown: #43 Jeremy Jackson

Jeremy Jackson
Name: Jeremy Jackson
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 206 lbs.
High school: Ann Arbor (MI) Huron
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #17
Last year: I ranked Jackson #37 and said he would have 8 catches, 100 yards, and 1 touchdown as a backup wide receiver. He had 4 receptions for 31 yards.

It's probably pretty rare that a senior gets downgraded on this list to such a degree, but Jackson put up pretty paltry numbers last season, and it can't be blamed entirely on Denard Robinson. Devin Gardner played a large chunk of the year at quarterback, and even his superior passing skills couldn't get Jackson to make a splash. The bottom line is that Jackson is too slow to be much of a passing threat, and he's not that great of a blocker for his size. One problem with having slow receivers is that even if they get "open," talented defensive backs can make up ground, undercut them, etc. and make plays that other receivers might be able to prevent. He would probably be better off bulking up to 215-220 lbs. and using the added mass to help in the running game, but that doesn't look like it will happen.

Going into his senior year, Jackson will be in a major fight for playing time. Fifth year senior Jeremy Gallon will probably lead the team in receiving, and two relative newcomers have been earning a fair amount of mentions by the coaches: sophomore Amara Darboh and redshirt freshman Jehu Chesson. I have learned not to trust the coaches by what they say through the media, but I think that hype might be legitimate. If I had to guess right now, I'd say Gallon, Darboh, and Chesson will be Michigan's top three wideouts, and Jackson will be battling with senior Drew Dileo, walk-on Joe Reynolds, and some freshmen for the scraps. So far Jackson has 4, 3, and 4 receptions in his first three seasons, and that production probably won't change much this year. However, it's tough for a skill player to play four years and not have his chance to shine for a moment, so I'm guessing we'll see Jackson make an important catch sometime this year.

Prediction: Backup slot receiver; 3 receptions, 40 yards, 1 touchdown

12 comments:

  1. I really liked that uniform.

    As for Jackson, I'm pulling for Dileo and the kids. We need to be a lot better at receiver this year.

    That's a mean thing to say I know, but forgetting the lack of production, there were running plays last year where despite trying, he wasn't quick enough to even impede a DB on his way to the ball. It mattered less than it will this year because most frequently it was Denard. There will be no dilithium this year.

    (Pause to reflect)

    Sigh!!!

    This is Michigan, you gotta block.

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  2. Book it: Jeremy is going to have a LaTerryal Savoy moment (10+ yard catch near the end of the game to set up first and goal) at the end of UTL Part Two. :)

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  3. So you're saying you don't think Dever is going to see the field this year? :|

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    Replies
    1. I don't know why there would be an expectation that Bo Dever would see significant playing time this year.

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    2. Not significant, but I think he'll probably play in half of the games

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  4. Do you remember Freddy Canteen's ask.fm/ url?

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  5. Mostly agree with this and the ranking is fair (he's a very replaceable player). However, I'm far more skeptical about Darboh and Chesson than you are. While I buy fresh-to-soph improvement, I don't agree that every upperclassmen 'is what he is'. A lot of seniors see the end of their careers and really step up. Jackson played ahead of these guys last year and may again.

    My guess for this season: Darboh will jump past Jackson but Chesson will not. We have veterans to replace anyway, so unless another freshman steps up I'd think Jackson role is maintained and maybe slightly enlarged from the 3-4 catch neighborhood to 6-10 catches.

    I do have the same sense that he is 'due' for a notable TD catch at some point, especially early in the year when the younger guys are still figuring out the playbook and whatnot.

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    Replies
    1. Running backs and wide receivers don't make that big of a leap from year to year. Jackson is bad and will still be bad. Chesson has more speed, similar height, and will be better than Jackson.

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    2. @Anon 9:33

      You contradict yourself. Last year Jackson played over Chesson, so if Chesson doesn't improve, he won't surpass Jackson.

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    3. He needed a redshirt year solely because he wasn't thick enough. He will be better than Jackson.

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    4. My point was; that would mean improving. Conventional opinion is that Chesson will surpass Jackson. I wouldn't be shocked at all if that is true, but I'm pointing out that last year he wasn't better, so Chesson would need to improve more than Jackson does for that to be the case.

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  6. With 3 seconds left and Michigan trailing the Buckeyes by 4. THE game for 2013 has come down to this last play. Gardner scrambles, runs to left, runs to right, almost sacked by Adophus Washington. He steps forward and finds out a wide open Jeremy Jackson in the end zone. Touch down Michigan! Michigan wins THE game!

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