Philadelphia Eagles prospect profile: Defensive end Tarron Jackson
The Philadelphia Eagles need to find pass-rushers.
There were a ton of things that handicapped the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2020-2021 NFL season, but the defensive end position wasn’t one of them. The defense has had good production from the veterans like recent Pro Bowl nod Brandon Graham. They’ve also seen younger guys like Josh Sweat take a step forward. Aside from a few boneheaded plays here and there from Derek Barnett, he’s also shown that he’s someone the Eagles can trust.
Graham will always be a legend in Philadelphia. He’s developed into one of the more sturdy pass rushers, but his career is coming to an end. Josh Sweat deserves more snaps and looks to be the next great edge defender for the Birds. Derek Barnett has had good moments but also seems to disappear and have lapses in judgment at times.
Still, after those three, it gets very dim as far as prospects at the position go. In a passing league, teams need cornerbacks and pass rushers so it would behoove the Philadelphia Eagles’ front office to add some talented youth to this defense.
The ITI staff has searched for under-the-radar defensive ends that could help. Enter Coastal Carolina pass rusher Tarron Jackson, the program’s career sacks leader (25) and the program’s record holder for most sacks in a single season (10). He’s received a Senior Bowl invitation. He’s a Bronco Nagurski Trophy finalist and a Bednarik Award semifinalist. We might be shedding the word ‘underrated’ from his name fairly soon.
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What Tarron Jackson can bring to the Philadelphia Eagles defense.
At six-foot-two and 260 pounds, Jackson is built like an edge defender but has the speed and bend that coordinators covet. The South Carolina native has the tools to set the edge and stuff the run on the way to the quarterback.
A constant around the football, Jackson has a nose for making plays and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Adding Jackson to the Philadelphia Eagles’ rotation would give them a young prospect that could learn from Brandon Graham (if he’s back) and potentially team up with Josh Sweat to help carry this team into the future.
A quick quote from the Coastal Carolina prospect.
We at ITI spoke with Tarron Jackson and asked him his thoughts on being an underdog, as well as what he feels he can bring to a team. Here’s what he had to say on the subject:
"I get why they are always looking past me. I really do. (We) at Coastal Carolina get overlooked a lot for whatever reason. We don’t play big enough football I guess? But, I look at it like this. This is all football in the end. I know I can play at the next level and be a guy that makes plays. I have been raised to be a hard worker and I keep that mentality always. I know that, once I get my shot, I will prove myself and continue to do it until my career is over. All the talk that I am an underdog is just talk, but at the same time, I like it. I know what I can bring to a team."
Needless to say that the Philadelphia Eagles are in need of depth and maybe an upgrade on the defense’s edge. Adding a player like Tarron Jackson could go a long way in filling that hole while also finding a true gem that could be a difference-maker for years to come.
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Forget about the helmet. You scout the player and when you look at the film you see a big, athletic prospect with rare athleticism and an eye for the ball who is capable of helping against the run game. Oh, and he can also give quarterbacks nightmares, something we all like in defensive ends. Jackson could be the next great pass rusher for the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s a fact.