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Report: Wake Forest targeting Miami's Chevis Jackson as next DB's coach

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery01/11/25
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(Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are targeting Miami’s Chevis Jackson as their defensive backs coach. Matt Zenitz of 247sports relayed that information on Saturday afternoon. Before Miami, Jackson played his college football with LSU and played in the NFL. He also coached with the Marshall Thundering Herd and Kansas Jayhawks.

While playing in the NFL, he played for the Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Carolina Panthers.

Early in his college coaching career, Jackson received an award as the top recruiter in the Mid-American Conference in 2017. In the 2019 season, he joined Les Miles and the Kansas Jayhawks. There, he worked as their defensive backs coach. In 2021, Lance Leipold kept Jackson in the same role with the Jayhawks when he was named the head coach to replace Les Miles. Miles was released from his duties following the 2021 season.

As a defensive back in college, Jackson earned first team All-SEC honors in 2007 with the LSU Tigers. He finished his senior campaign with 42 tackles and five interceptions. He played a critical role in guiding the Tigers to the BCS National Championship over Ohio State, 21-14. In that game, Jackson finished with two tackles and snatched an interception that he returned 34 yards. As a junior, Jackson started all 13 games of the 2006 campaign. He finished the year with 46 tackles, two interceptions, and a team-high 14 pass breakups. He played a critical part on the Tigers’ defense that ranked third in the country in pass efficiency defense.

During his high school playing days, Jackson played his high school football at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama. He played wide receiver, defensive back, and return specialist. He also tallied 40 tackles and seven interceptions on defense in 2003. As a receiver, he hauled in 31 passes for 660 receiving yards and five touchdowns. At kick return, he returned 16 kickoffs for 415 yards. As a junior, he hauled in 45 catches for 850 yards and nine touchdowns.