ATHENS — Kearis Jackson is headed to the NFL to win, by whatever means necessary.

The departing Bulldogs’ team captain might not be the biggest (5-foot-11, 196 pounds), or the fastest (4.55 seconds) receiver/returner), but he ranks among the most reliable and competitive.

“I’m here to win games, I’m not here to have 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns,” Jackson said, asked about his unselfish nature at the receiver position.

“I know I wanted to come in for that, I would have went somewhere else, but I’m trying to put championship years on our walls and trying to be a national champion, an SEC champion.”

Leadership figure

Jackson was one of the multiple-game captains for Georgia, the unquestioned leader in the receiver room. But Jackson’s leadership went beyond the field.

The Peach County High School product was one of only three student representatives on the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors and was the Bulldogs’ representative at the SEC Football Leadership Council in addition to being on the SEC Honor Roll.

Receiving leader

Jackson showed his potential as a receiver and return man in 2020 as the leading receiver with 36 catches for 514 yards with three touchdowns

The Bulldogs’ spread the ball around more the past two seasons, but Jackson continued to delivered the most timely of catches.

Jackson had one catch for 35 yards in Georgia’s 42-41 come-from-behind win over Ohio State in the CFP Peach Bowl Semifinal and a 20-yard catch against TCU in the 65-7 CFP Championship Game.

Return ace

Jackson earned Kirby Smart’s trust and respect early in his career, and that translated to a long and prosperous role as a return man.

The sure-handed veteran led the Bulldogs with 18 kick returns for 391 yards in 2022, and in 2021, Jackson proved himself a reliable punt return man with 22 runbacks for 189 yards.