Georgia fan favorite ‘Dirty Dan’ Jackson beating competition, stereotype at Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — Dan Jackson has realized on dream playing at Georgia, and now he’s on to another.

But don’t think for a minute the former Georgia walk-on safety has stars in his eyes these days.

Jackson is focused on his assignments, playbooks and each challenge Senior Bowl week presents as a majority of the best players in the nation compete to showcase their NFL Draft stock.

“I’m just grateful to be here, number one, there’s a lot of great talent out there and I think Georgia has prepared me tremendously for this moment,” Jackson said following Wednesday’s practice, sounding very much like the team leader he has been for the Bulldogs.

“You’re going against the best of the best, and I’m thankful for that, and I’m excited to show what I’ve got.”

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The Senior Bowl game is at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, but already, Jackson has made his mark in team and individual drills, proving faster and more athletic than some might have thought.

Indeed, it has gone down like Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy predicted it would, when he made the decision last spring to invite Jackson to the Senior Bowl even before any NFL teams had voiced their interest in him.

“Yes, he was a walk-on, yes he’s a white safety, you can pigeon-hole him all you want,” Nagy told DawgNation on Monday, “but if you watch the football player, he’s a Dog.”

Georgia coach Kirby Smart has been saying that for years, perhaps seeing a bit of himself in Jackson, as he was once an All-SEC safety who capitalized on the same sort of physicality and relentless effort that made Jackson a star.

“Man, to think that guy came to Georgia on his own, without us even recruiting him, and to make the plays he’s made,” Smart said after Jackson delivered a fourth-quarter fumble-inducing hit that helped save the day in the Bulldogs’ 44-42 eight-overtime win over Georgia Tech.

“That hit fumble will be one for the ages because he wasn’t just hitting a normal dude. That guy’s a competitor. A lot of respect for Dan.”

Smart doesn’t often shower praise on his players, but he makes an exception for Jackson, perhaps knowing there’s no danger of complacency settling in for this player.

“(Jackson) didn’t even have to come back this year,” Smart said. “I think about where we’d be without him, just a lot of respect for him and his leadership.

“Really, all these kids that want to go and transfer and change and do all this, look at a guy like Dan Jackson. He is what college football is all about, guys. He’s not asking for more money. He’s not trying to go somewhere else. The guy just loves Georgia.”

Saturday’s Senior Bowl game at Hancock-Whitney Stadium on the University of South Alabama campus will be the last time Jackson and his four Georgia teammates — Trevor Etienne, Smael Mondon, Arian Smith and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins wear the “G” on their helmets.

And Jackson, like he did when Nagy was attendance watching him last spring, will be looking to make the most of his final opportunity to showcase his talent on the football field before the NFL Draft process shifts to combine preparation.

“Jim (Nagy) told me he was at the spring game, and so it shows you never know who is there and who is watching,” Jackson said. “So now it’s trying to get out there and make plays and compete.”