NC State has secured a commitment from Under Armour All-American DE Savion Jackson. Read below to see why this ESPN 300 prospect could eventually replace some of the production lost to the NFL from last season's dominant defensive line:
What he brings: Jackson can be an explosive and versatile defensive lineman. He possesses good overall size with the build and physical upside to be able to play on the edge, as well as slide inside, and has experience at DE and DT. He can be a strong run defender with the ability to fire off low and uncoil at contact with the strength and violent hands to press and quickly shed defenders. The four-star also displays a good motor and can be an active presence in the trenches. He needs to continue to refine his arsenal, but Jackson has the physical tools to be a disruptive pass-rusher with good power. Additionally, he flashes the ability to attack half-man, flip hips and quickly work past.
How he fits: This is a huge addition for NC State, keeping the No. 6-rated DE and top-ranked player in North Carolina close to home. The Wolfpack assembled and developed one of the most talented defensive line units in college football last year, but that entire starting group was drafted in April. They have some talented D-linemen on campus to plug in this season to try to fill those big shoes, but the addition of Jackson potentially gives them another high-caliber performer on that unit. He needs to continue to develop physically in further filling out his frame, as well as in little things like hand usage, but he can grow into a well-rounded, three-down type defender who can set the edge and be stout against the run, while also being able to pressure the QB or reduce inside to use his blend of quickness and power to exploit matchups as an interior pass rusher. For a program that just a lost great deal of talent on its D-line, even though it won't be immediate, Jackson gives NC State fans a reason to be excited about the future in the defensive trenches.
Reminds us of: Jackson reminds us some of former Florida defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. Both top-10 ranked defensive ends in their respective classes, Bullard developed into not only a very productive defender but also a valuable one, because of his versatility along the Gators' defensive line. Jackson possesses similar traits with his combination of initial quickness and power with good size at the moment and the frame to continue to fill out, much like Bullard did in Gainesville.
How the class is shaping up: The Wolfpack signed a class ranked in the top-half of the ACC for the 2018 cycle, and their 2019 class just got a big boost with the addition Jackson. He may be their first ESPN 300 commit for this class, but it also features several high three-star in-state defensive prospects such as linebackers Jaylon Scott and Drake Thomas, as well as CB Jalen Frazier. Offensively the class is currently led by top-40 RB Jamious Griffin out of Rome, Georgia.