Drake Jackson says he was in awe of NFL Combine interview with Patriots
"I'm just thinking, 'Damn, that's Belichick on the line.'"
Recent Links
INDIANAPOLIS – The Patriots continue to do their due diligence at the NFL Combine, talking with big-name talents at key positions. Friday, it was linebackers and defensive linemen on the menu, with players like Utah LB Devin Lloyd, Georgia LB Quay Walker, and Alabama LB Christian Harris confirming they’ve met with the team’s representatives.
Typically, most of the conversations don’t yield much beyond noting the general process of getting to know the team and watching film with them. But USC’s Drake Jackson gave a touch more insight into his reaction to meeting with the Patriots and, by proxy, Bill Belichick on Friday.
Jackson described his meeting with New England as “cool” with the content being about the same for all of his other meetings: “Trying to get to know me and what I do, me getting to know them, watching film, all that stuff.”
Like Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams, Jackson reported Belichick wasn’t physically present when the Patriots spoke with him. (Belichick has been particularly hard to find in Indianapolis.)
But that doesn’t mean the coach wasn’t involved, Jackson explained.
“He wasn’t in the room, but I think he was on the live call,” the USC linebacker said with a wide-eyed expression. “And I’m just thinking, ‘Damn, that’s Belichick on the line.'”
Jackson’s story recalls Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks’ comments Wednesday about meeting with a team with the Patriots’ reputation.
“It was really intense just knowing that you’re in a meeting with the Patriots,” Burks said. “Their organization is held to a high standard. I just went in there and took it on like a man.”
On the flip side, Jackson said he came out of his meeting with the Seattle Seahawks thinking the ever-energetic Pete Carroll — a former Patriots head coach himself — was “the smoothest coach I’ve talked to.”
Jackson, meanwhile, is considered a fringe first-round prospect who might more likely go on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. He tallied 25 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks during his three seasons at USC.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com