Tyler Jackson-Clark attended DeSoto High School in Texas, if the name sounds familiar to you, and you don’t avidly watch high school football don’t be surprised. This high school is known for producing future professional football players. This included 23 total NFL players, 4 of which were on a roster to start 2023.
It also includes an NFL Super Bowl MVP, CFL MOP, and even well-known recent UFL players like Chris Orr who is now coaching. Long story short Jackson-Clark has always had to fight for every rep he took, he grew up in a competitive environment where football means everything. There’s a reason why the state of Texas houses 2 NFL teams, 3 UFL teams, multiple IFA teams, and countless indoor teams and it isn’t because they hate football.
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Recognized Statewide
At DeSoto High, he managed to put himself on the map. He was ranked as one of the top 400 players in the state of Texas, and a top 100 inside linebacker. On the surface, those numbers for most states wouldn’t be anything to write home about however Texas is different. In a 2022 TexasFootball.com article, they detailed there were now more than 1,500 Texas high school football teams. He was a two-star prospect.
Out of high school, he committed to the University of Incarnate Word where he found his way on the field as a true freshman. He played in 10 games logging 16 tackles including a 6 tackle game. He opted to transfer to Lamar University in 2019 utilizing a redshirt year. Over the next three seasons, Jackson-Clark played in 27 games collecting 158 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, 2 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.
His third season at Lamar was his breakout season starting all 11 games setting a career-high in tackles, and logging his first pass breakup and a forced fumble. In 2022 he had established himself as a top linebacker for the school starting 11 more games and putting up a career performance. He had 98 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss, and 1 pass breakup.
One last transfer led to a final collegiate season with Northern Illinois University, he would play in all 13 games but only start four and still finish the season with 56 tackles and 2 for a loss. He graduated having played in 50 career games and managed 230 career tackles.
Pro-Day Performance
If you look at Jackson-Clark’s career strictly based on production you see an NFL prospect. It’s only when you begin to look at his pro day that any doubt creeps into your mind. His performance at his pro day did not do him any favors and it may have even hurt his stock:
According to draftscout.com:
When you watch his tape he doesn’t play like he runs a 4.98. He gets sideline to sideline in a hurry and manages to explode into the ball carrier when making tackles. The biggest strength of Jackson-Clark’s game is his ability to read and react to the opposing offense. Often he would make plays simply because he has a knack for diagnosing where a play is going.
The beauty of the UFL showcases is this is a chance for Jackson-Clark and many of his peers to change the narrative surrounding their previous workouts. This gives him a chance to put out better data and hopefully raise his stock. As long as he runs a sub 4.98 in the 40-yard dash, or 7.40 in the 3-cone drill it will only benefit him.
Current NFL Comparison
At 6’0 230 pounds his closest NFL comparison in recent memory is Josey Jewell. Jewell was an undrafted free agent when he initially latched on with the Denver Broncos. His production in college suggested he could play, but his pro day didn’t wow scouts in the way they wanted.
However, he went from undrafted rookie to forced into the starting lineup very quickly and now has become an NFL starter, not because of his athletic ability, but his instincts. Call me crazy, but I’ll take a player who consistently produces over a combine darling any day.
While Jackson-Clark wasn’t often used as an edge rusher, he certainly can get off blocks and beat offensive linemen with speed and agility which has aided him in the tackle-for-a-loss department. He could be better suited to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense which would allow him to pin his ears back and rush the passer more often than not which could make him a lot more dangerous at the next level.
High-Level Coaching
The list of coaches who influenced Jackson-Clark’s college career is impressive.
While with Lamar he would stick through one head coaching change but decided to move on when another coaching change came after 2022. His time with Lamar began with one year under Head Coach Mike Schultz and Cam Clark who served as Co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker coach. Due to his redshirt, Jackson-Clark never suited up under this staff.
Over the next three seasons Blane Morgan, a longtime Air Force player and assistant coach was the head coach. He led the program to just 5 wins to 23 losses. Matt Weikert came in and took over as Defensive Coordinator and Inside Linebacker Coach. Weikert also spent many years with the Air Force molding the defense into one of the top units in the Mountain West Conference. This includes over 14 years as a position coach focusing on the front seven.
In his final season of college being tutored by Nick Benedetto he helped his unit finish 3rd in total defense in the MAC. He was part of a defense that allowed over 80 yards less passing per game than the previous season finishing with an average of just 171.2 yards allowed. They also held opponents to 23 points or less nine times. An impressive turnaround under the new coordinator. Looking at the bigger picture it becomes apparent why Jackson-Clark plays like he was born to be a linebacker.
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