With the third pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected DE Tyson Jackson from LSU.
Jackson’s NFL.com profile.
Jackson’s decision to return to school for his senior season in 2008 seems to have paid off.
With more NFL teams expected to convert to a 3-4 defensive alignment in 2009, Jackson has the frame, strength and run-stuffing ability to fit the mold of the type of defensive end used in that system. In a classic 4-3 setup, most scouts felt he would be better suited playing inside at defensive tackle.
A three-year starter at left defensive end, Jackson proved to be a capable, yet unspectacular pass rusher, managing just eight quarterback sacks over his last two seasons — compared to 8.5 as a sophomore. His forte was flushing the quarterback out of the pocket, as he boasts 30 pressures for his career, along with his run-containment skills, ranking 11th in school history with 27 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Jackson was regarded as the best defensive end in the state of Louisiana during his senior season at West St. John High School. The two-way lineman was named Class 2A Defensive Player of the Year after capping off a torrid senior season with 84 tackles, 16 sacks and 17 pressures, leading his team to the state championship.
Jackson was a member of the Baton Rouge Advocate Super Dozen and the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s Top 20 Blue-Chip list in 2003. He was named All-District and All-Parish on the gridiron and also lettered in basketball.
After spending the 2004 season on Louisiana State’s scout team, Jackson earned Freshman All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2005. He alternated between defensive end positions as the team’s top reserve, posting 13 tackles (eight solo) with a pair of sacks and five quarterback pressures.
Jackson was named All-Southeastern Conference second-team as a sophomore, after he wrested away the starting left defensive end position. He collected 8.5 sacks with 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 37 tackles (13 solo). He also picked off a pass and deflected four others.
As a junior, he continued to excel as a disruptor for the opposing aerial attack, as his 10 pass deflections ranked second in the nation among down linemen. He again lined up at left end, posting 36 tackles (15 solo) to go with 3.5 sacks and ranked second on the squad with 12 pressures.
Jackson was selected to the All-SEC second-team in 2008. He started all season at left end, coming up with 36 tackles (17 solo) for the second straight year. He had 4.5 sacks, 10.5 stops for losses and seven pressures. He rumbled 18 yards with a fumble recovery and blocked four pass attempts at the line of scrimmage.
