Why the NFL should take a chance on Auburn’s Shedrick Jackson

This year’s Auburn football Pro Day was quite the event with former national championship and Heisman trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton back on the Plains. However, Cam’s appearance wasn’t the only big news coming out of Auburn that day.

Former Auburn football wide receiver Shedrick Jackson, nephew of legendary Bo Jackson, was a two-year starter for the Tigers and was consistently a dependable target. Though Auburn football’s wide receiver group has been in a slump for a few years, Jackson put up great numbers in 2021 and respectable numbers in 2022.

Over the 53 games Jackson played at Auburn, he recorded 66 receptions for 874 yards and one touchdown, with his longest reception being 48 yards. Though the receiver may not have turned too many heads last season, he caught everyone’s attention at Pro Day.

According to Auburn Undercover, Jackson’s 40-yard dash time was unofficially 4.32 at the time, but was clocked at 4.25 when the Pro Day results were sent out to reporters later in the day, and if that’s completely accurate, it would be the fastest time in Auburn football history and the third-fastest time in NFL history.

The wide receiver also led the Tigers in the vertical jump at 38.5 inches and the broad jump at 11 feet and two inches.

Though his on-field stats may not jump off the paper, it’s clear that Jackson has plenty of potential and has the right attitude when it comes to pursuing a career in the league:

"“I’m a competitor,” Jackson said of his message to NFL clubs. “I want to be the best and I work at it every day. I try to stay locked in and do what I know I can do and just always reach for new goals.”"

Jackson has a winner mentality, and with his Pro Day stats and his willingness to work hard, it’s completely possible that Shed could end up in the league.