One of, if not the biggest question mark coming into the season for the Hawkeyes was who was going to replace Desmond King and Greg Mabin. Both are in NFL currently, and the void was enormous. One side of the field has been taken care of with the emergence of Joshua Jackson for the Hawkeyes.
The redshirt junior from Texas has maken an impact over the course of the first half of the season. Getting the first consistent action at cornerback has proven to fit Jackson well as he currently is tied for second in the Big Ten in passes deflected (8). He is also tied for second in the conference in interceptions with a pair.
Last week, Jackson was named to the ‘Bednarik Award’ watch list, the honor going to the nation’s top defensive player. Linebacker Josey Jewell had already been on the list deservedly, but it was nice to also see Jackson’s play get the recognition.
Jackson’s skills have also been on display as he has become the teams primary punt returner. He has shown to have dependable return skills, even willing to attempt dangerous returns inside the 10 yard line. Kirk Ferentz doesn’t seem overly concerned about this as he explained to Hawkeye Sports
"I don’t want to get into specifics, but as you might imagine, we try not to field the ball on the 1. That’s pretty obvious. There are certain parameters that you give every player, and in that circumstance certainly they were well-spelled out. I think what you saw there was just inexperience there, too, so we’re paying for that a little bit. But he’s doing a good job back there."
The ‘eye test’ of Jackson’s play shows that he is playing at an elite level this season. But numerous times, Pro Football Focus has detailed how much he has shut down his half of the field.
Iowa CB Joshua Jackson was great in coverage against Illinois this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/eoijAc4k4o
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 8, 2017
Iowa CB Joshua Jackson has been very reliable in coverage for the Hawkeyes this season.https://t.co/hbhpyZjEVk pic.twitter.com/Y38ipirlWK
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 17, 2017
Jackson has a ways to go before meeting the 2015 season that Desmond King had that won him the Jim Thorpe Award as the nations top corner. King had 8 interceptions on the season, and was one of the main reasons the Hawkeyes didn’t have a blemish on their regular season record.
Top sledding does face Jackson in some of the matchups awaiting him. He faces off against the the Big Ten’s leader in receptions in Stanley Morgan (Nebraska), 3rd in receptions Parris Campbell (Ohio State) and 6th in catches Tyler Johnson (Minnesota).
Iowa's Joshua Jackson blocks a field goal attempt during today's game against North Texas. pic.twitter.com/kyOLuCFIiR
— David Scrivner (@davidscrivner) September 16, 2017
Another takeaway from Iowa-Wyoming game: Hawkeyes junior CB Joshua Jackson #15 had a breakout game. Putting himself on NFL radar.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 2, 2017
How Jackson fares in those games could have an impact on his post-season awards status, and potentially draft prospects in 2018. In all likelyhood though, the Hawkeyes could have an elite corner back on campus for the 2018 season, with a host of other young players in the secondary.