Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Brandon Randall
Jackson Enjoying Process of NFL Draft Prep
3/22/2021 10:53:00 AM | Football, RamWire
Former Rams wideout works out in front of 24 scouts
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The running around Warren Jackson did Monday held a bit more importance than what he used to do as a kid.
Back then, he'd roam the house – in a football helmet – and pretend he was an NFL player. He'd tell his dad he was going to be one, and then he'd run full steam into the couch. He's not sure why, he just did.
He was being a kid.
He ran around some more on Monday at Colorado State's practice facility. He was measured on tape, on stop watches and by his movements. There were no couches to hit, but 24 NFL scouts were on hand for his pro day workout, which took on even more importance for the wideout with absence of the NFL Combine this year.
"Just being so close to that moment, that's all I can think about," Jackson said at the close. "I'm very anxious, but I have to take it all in. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so I try to calm myself down and take it all in and enjoy it while it lasts."
Jackson elected to sit out the 2020 season when the first option appeared it would be held in the spring of 2021, declaring for the NFL Draft. His former team did end up playing in the fall – just four games – while he was working out back home and in Denver to prepare for the NFL Draft, which will be held April 29 through May 1.
The first round takes place on the first day, with rounds two and three on Friday. The final four rounds will be held on Saturday.
Jackson said he missed practice and being around his team, but he doesn't regret the decision he made and is happy with the progress he made. He said he's faster, stronger and more in tune with what he can accomplish with his 6-foot-6 frame.
"I learned a lot of new releases. My patience has gotten better, being patient on the line, truly working the DB," Jackson said. "I'd say those are two really big things I improved on as I trained. That goes back to just learning myself. I'm actually really strong, and I have big leverage, so learning how to move them and where to punch and just be more efficient and effective."
He was the only Colorado State player taking part, as the remainder of his class who could have declared for the draft decided to remain with the program for another season. Graduate assistant coach Heath Parling, who threw for 5,632 yards and 69 touchdowns while playing at Grand Valley State University, was his quarterback.
Jackson said he dropped a couple of passes, but he won't sweat it, knowing what he has on film from his career proves he can catch the ball and do so in traffic. Scouts believe he is a prime red-zone threat, which he agrees with, and his two-touchdown performance against Alabama as a true freshman was Exhibit A.
Others nitpick his speed, his ability to separate and even his run blocking. He's not letting any of that bother him, and he's worked on improving every aspect of his game. He's also confident in what he's done, finishing his career with the Rams with 124 catches for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Mountain West selection at the end of his junior season.
"Run blocker is something I don't understand," he said. "I had plus-10 knock downs. I'm blocking linebackers, blitzing safeties. I don't listen to that. I stay in my lane, focus on what I can do, what I can control. I think I play really fast – play faster than many people think. I'm just happy to be out here, grateful for this opportunity."
Jackson looks to be the next in a long line of CSU receivers to get a crack at the NFL. It started with Rashard Higgins, who just signed a new one-year deal with Cleveland, extending with Michael Gallup, Bisi Johnson and Preston Williams getting their chances on NFL rosters.
All of them, as well as his initial wideout coach Alvis Whitted (now with Wisconsin) told him to enjoy the moment. There's plenty of stress which comes with it, because days like Monday go a long way in determining what value teams think a player can bring to their franchise.
But worrying about it is something Jackson is spending a lot of time with, not with still taking online classes (he has one semester remaining toward his degree) and continuing his development.
When the draft comes, he'll be back home in California waiting for the moment with his family.
"I'm very anxious. It was tough getting to sleep last night, just thinking about it," Jackson said. "Everybody goes through it. I'm so excited and ready to get my foot in the door and hopefully make an organization happy."
Back then, he'd roam the house – in a football helmet – and pretend he was an NFL player. He'd tell his dad he was going to be one, and then he'd run full steam into the couch. He's not sure why, he just did.
He was being a kid.
He ran around some more on Monday at Colorado State's practice facility. He was measured on tape, on stop watches and by his movements. There were no couches to hit, but 24 NFL scouts were on hand for his pro day workout, which took on even more importance for the wideout with absence of the NFL Combine this year.
"Just being so close to that moment, that's all I can think about," Jackson said at the close. "I'm very anxious, but I have to take it all in. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so I try to calm myself down and take it all in and enjoy it while it lasts."
Jackson elected to sit out the 2020 season when the first option appeared it would be held in the spring of 2021, declaring for the NFL Draft. His former team did end up playing in the fall – just four games – while he was working out back home and in Denver to prepare for the NFL Draft, which will be held April 29 through May 1.
The first round takes place on the first day, with rounds two and three on Friday. The final four rounds will be held on Saturday.
Jackson said he missed practice and being around his team, but he doesn't regret the decision he made and is happy with the progress he made. He said he's faster, stronger and more in tune with what he can accomplish with his 6-foot-6 frame.
"I learned a lot of new releases. My patience has gotten better, being patient on the line, truly working the DB," Jackson said. "I'd say those are two really big things I improved on as I trained. That goes back to just learning myself. I'm actually really strong, and I have big leverage, so learning how to move them and where to punch and just be more efficient and effective."
He was the only Colorado State player taking part, as the remainder of his class who could have declared for the draft decided to remain with the program for another season. Graduate assistant coach Heath Parling, who threw for 5,632 yards and 69 touchdowns while playing at Grand Valley State University, was his quarterback.
Jackson said he dropped a couple of passes, but he won't sweat it, knowing what he has on film from his career proves he can catch the ball and do so in traffic. Scouts believe he is a prime red-zone threat, which he agrees with, and his two-touchdown performance against Alabama as a true freshman was Exhibit A.
Others nitpick his speed, his ability to separate and even his run blocking. He's not letting any of that bother him, and he's worked on improving every aspect of his game. He's also confident in what he's done, finishing his career with the Rams with 124 catches for 1,789 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Mountain West selection at the end of his junior season.
"Run blocker is something I don't understand," he said. "I had plus-10 knock downs. I'm blocking linebackers, blitzing safeties. I don't listen to that. I stay in my lane, focus on what I can do, what I can control. I think I play really fast – play faster than many people think. I'm just happy to be out here, grateful for this opportunity."
Jackson looks to be the next in a long line of CSU receivers to get a crack at the NFL. It started with Rashard Higgins, who just signed a new one-year deal with Cleveland, extending with Michael Gallup, Bisi Johnson and Preston Williams getting their chances on NFL rosters.
All of them, as well as his initial wideout coach Alvis Whitted (now with Wisconsin) told him to enjoy the moment. There's plenty of stress which comes with it, because days like Monday go a long way in determining what value teams think a player can bring to their franchise.
But worrying about it is something Jackson is spending a lot of time with, not with still taking online classes (he has one semester remaining toward his degree) and continuing his development.
When the draft comes, he'll be back home in California waiting for the moment with his family.
"I'm very anxious. It was tough getting to sleep last night, just thinking about it," Jackson said. "Everybody goes through it. I'm so excited and ready to get my foot in the door and hopefully make an organization happy."
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