Dan Jackson experience not to be forgotten in safety position battle
When Georgia starts spring practice on Tuesday, the Bulldogs will be replacing one of the top safeties in the country – Christopher Smith. A unanimous All-American, Smith manned the back end of Georgia’s secondary the last two and a half seasons. Yes, they have Malaki Starks, a Freshman All-American, back with options to play alongside him like Joenel Aguero, Deyon Bouie, JaCorey Thomas and David Daniel-Sisavanh. And while all that is great, there’s one more name you shouldn’t forget: Dan Jackson.
Yes, Jackson is a walk-on, and yes, he is coming back from injury, but he brings to the table something that none of the other contenders to replace Smith have. That would be starting experience. The Gainesville, Ga. native made four starts in 2021 and played in all 15 games. Then, in 2022, he started the opener against Oregon and played in seven before being sidelined with a foot injury.
“Obviously it was very tough. About halfway through the season, you work so hard for games like these, but keeping a positive mindset,” Jackson told DawgsHQ during the College Football Playoffs. “Thankfully God’s kept me healthy my whole career, and I know he’s going to help me heal up. I’m going to be back out there.”
Starks made mention of Jackson being of big help to him during his freshman season, not only when the two of them were on the field together but also after Jackson’s injury when Starks was asked to do even more. Jackson said that the leadership role was one he embraced down the stretch in an effort to help the team in whatever way possible.
“I talked to the coaches, and I’ve tried to basically be a players coach,” Jackson said. “Be there for all the guys. What that looks like is being engaged in every meeting. They’re still grinding and playing for me, so I want to do everything for them.”
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Jackson’s injury – a stress fracture in his foot that required surgery – is one that could have him back on the field in some capacity this spring. Whether that’s going full speed or being around for walk throughs and able to demonstrate by example things should look like, Jackson is ready to do whatever he’s asked. When back completely healthy it could even mean a starting spot once again.
In two seasons of action, 22 games in total, Jackson has totaled 56 tackles including three for loss. He had an interception this past season against South Carolina, moving from a starting spot into a role as an extra defender for the Bulldogs with Starks and Smith manning the two primary safety positions.
Georgia gets spring practice underway on Tuesday, the first of 15 sessions that Kirby Smart and the coaching staff will put the team through over just more than a month, culminating in Sanford Stadium on April 15th with the G-Day spring game.
