From now until the 2024 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Illinois safety Keondre Jackson.
#3 Keondre Jackson/Safety Illinois– 6016, 211 lbs. (Senior)
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Keondre Jackson 6016/211 9 1/4 32 1/8 78 1/2
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
THE GOOD
— Anticipates routes well in zone, closing fast on underneath routes
— Displays smooth backpedal and quick hip turn, allowing him to cover sideline-to-sideline in single-high looks
— Wraps up ball carriers with solid form in the open field
— Quick run game reactor, positions himself well to plug gaps from the secondary
— Diagnoses misdirections and read-option plays
— Leader on Illinois State’s defense
— Challenging receivers at the catch point, high pass breakup and interception totals
— Comfortable playing deep safety, in the box, or sliding down into the slot against tight ends or running backs
— Disruptive at the line of scrimmage
— High motor and tackling consistency make him an ideal gunner candidate
The Bad
— Will sometimes take overly aggressive angles in run support, leaving cutback lanes open
— Footwork can be a step slow against quick slot receivers
— Coming from a smaller school, hasn’t faced many varied offensive systems or exotic route combinations and faces learning curve adapting to NFL pre-snap motion and adjustments
— Slight hip stiffness
— Relies heavily on speed to beat blockers rather than using hand technique to disengage
— Bites on play fakes, which leaves him vulnerable on double moves
— Tends to rely on raw physicality at the line, leading to missed jams on technical route runners.
— Can get caught out of position when trying to make a highlight hit rather than a solid tackle
— May struggle against tall, physical tight ends in man coverage near the line of scrimmage
Bio
— 38 career starts in college
— Two sacks, 74 tackles, two FFs, six PBU’s and three interceptions in 2024
— Six sacks, 156 tackles, two FFs, ten PBU’s and five interceptions in college career in his college career
— Jackson was an accomplished wrestler in high school, qualifying for the state tournament twice and earning all-conference honors twice
— Missed the Shrine Bowl with an undisclosed injury
— Before transitioning to linebacker in college, played as a quarterback in high school, securing 37 receptions for 570 yards and four touchdowns
— Committed to SCSU as a three-star prospect from Manning, South Carolina
— One of only five FCS players invited to the 2025 Senior Bowl
— 78.0 overall PFF grade, 83.8 run defense, 85.8 tackling, 63.2 pass rush and 78.0 pass coverage grade in 2024
— 2024 FCS All-American (Third Team)
Tape Breakdown
Southern Illinois’ Safety Keondre Jackson has been a massive draft season riser. Though not the biggest defender, his tenacity and motor made him a Senior Bowl stand out.
Jackson smoothly flips his hips in off-coverage, allowing him to react quickly to in-breaking routes or sudden changes of direction. His long speed is average at best. He’ll hang with most receivers but doesn’t have the extra gear to recover if he’s beaten early. Receivers take advantage of this, performing double moves to get Jackson behind them.
Here, Jackson is positioned on the left side. He lets the receiver cross his face, lacking the speed to break up the pass.
Jackson’s ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and take efficient angles offsets this limitation, especially when he’s operating in zone. He anticipates route combinations correctly, moves across the field, and closes in on shallow crossers before they get too far downfield.
Despite limited experience playing press coverage at Southern Illinois, Jackson plays with physicality at the line of scrimmage, often striking first. However, if he’s matched against a bigger receiver, his initial punch is frequently neutralized, forcing him into recovery mode.
He’s more comfortable mirroring tight ends in man coverage. Jackson’s transitions remain fairly smooth, and he keeps disciplined eyes on the ball and the receiver’s midsection. Jackson loves to challenge receivers at the catch point and disrupts passes without drawing penalties.
Senior Bowl practice clips highlighted his awareness in zone sets, where he recognizes layered route concepts and maintains depth, though he can be pulled forward by run fakes or more advanced play designs. He is from a smaller school and hasn’t faced many varied offensive systems or exotic route combinations. He faces a learning curve adapting to NFL pre-snap motion and adjustments.
Jackson is comfortable defending the run. Jackson reacts quickly to interior runs and doesn’t hesitate to fill lanes. He builds up momentum coming downhill and is a fundamentally sound tackler who targets the lower half, stopping ball carriers in their tracks. Jackson takes pride in limiting yards after contact, though he will absorb the occasional physical mismatch.
Here, Jackson is set up perfectly to stop the tight end but lacks the power. He bounces off the tight end, missing the tackle.
Jackson practiced with the linebackers for parts of the Senior Bowl. He has the versatility to play as a box linebacker while also dropping back in coverage. His motor, tackling skills, and intensity make him a perfect special teams fit.
Conclusion
Southern Illinois’ safety, Keondre Jackson, used his tenacity and motor to rise up draft boards, showcasing versatility in coverage and run support despite not having prototypical size or elite speed. He flashed enough at the Senior Bowl to intrigue teams eyeing a late Day 3 prospect with the potential to contribute on special teams.
While his average long speed and need for improved press technique limit his immediate upside, Jackson’s instincts, intensity, and tackling point to a promising developmental piece, with continued refinement and experience against NFL competition, he has the tools to carve out a backup role, with shots at playing time.
My NFL comparison for Jackson is Marte Mapu, another small-school prospect with linebacker/safety versatility.
Projection: Late Day Three
Depot Draft Grade: 6.7 – Backup/Special Teamer (5th-round)
Games Watched: 2023 Iowa, 2024 vs North Dakota, 2024 vs North Alabama, 2024 @ Murray State
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