Jermaine Jackson got into football by playing a variety of positions. He was first a defensive back before he was moved to a running back in high school, the centerpiece of his team’s wing-T offense. In college, first at San Mateo (a JuCo) and then at Idaho, he found his calling as a wide receiver.
He did whatever it took for him to get the ball.
“The game is better with the ball in my hands,” said Jackson, who signed with the New Orleans Saints this week as an undrafted free agent.
Jackson's game is at its best when the ball is in his hands -- as a punt and kicker returner. There, Jackson’s lack of size and 5-foot-6, 176-pound frame hardly matters. Instead, he’s able to use his speed and shiftiness to zip around defenders – snaking in and out of traffic.
Jackson’s returning ability is why the Saints hosted him on a top-30 visit even though his chances of getting drafted this spring were slim. It’s why, when the draft was over and undrafted free agents started flying off the board, the Saints made sure to quickly snatch him up by reportedly giving him a $10,000 bonus and $150,000 guaranteed.
The Saints have a long history of uncovering gems when signing unheralded and undrafted wide receivers to be their return specialist, such as Deonte Harty and Rashid Shaheed. Now, New Orleans’ next bet is Jackson – who returned four touchdowns (three punts, one kickoff) in two seasons at Idaho.
“That kind of played a part (in signing),” Jackson said. “(Special teams coordinator) Darren Rizzi, I know he does a great job with special teams. We had a great meeting and top 30 visit and I liked his vibe and his personality. I know he can set me up to be successful, for sure.”
The Saints, of course, still have Shaheed on the roster. But because of a dramatic overhaul to the NFL’s kickoff return ahead of next season, teams are now encouraged to have two legitimate returners – which could create a path for Jackson to stick. The league also believes the rule changes will also dramatically increase the number of returns by 50-60%.
Over two seasons at Idaho, Jackson averaged 30.6 yards per return on kickoffs and 16.4 yards per return on punts. Beyond his speed, Jackson said he discovered how to use his lack of size as an advantage. He found he could use his speed and elusiveness to juke defenders.
“I’ve always seen kickoff returns as running through fire, man,” Jackson said. “Once you get through the fire, you’re good. ... Hit the hole as fast as you can.”
As a smaller return specialist, Jackson said he has been compared to Harty. But the player Jackson said he models his game after is actually six-year veteran DeAndre Carter. Carter, he said, has served as a mentor ever since the wide receiver coached Jackson’s 7-on-7 teams in high school. They’re from the same area of California.
Like Jackson, Carter went undrafted. But he has carved out a respectable NFL career – both as a returner and a wideout.
Soon, Jackson will begin his own journey to see if he can stick.
“I’ve always had a thing for it forever,” Jackson said of returning. “I feel like it’s always an opportunity to make another big play. Why not take advantage of it?”