FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson is returning to the Razorbacks for the 2024 season, the junior announced on Wednesday.
Jackson, who earned first-team All-SEC honors this season, was an anchor for an Arkansas defense that finished sixth in the conference in tackles for loss and sacks.
The Texarkana, Texas, native tallied 44 tackles and led the team with 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Jackson’s best game of the season came in a 24-20 loss at Alabama on Oct. 14 when the LSU transfer set career-highs in tackles (11), tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (3.5) en route to claiming SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.
He is the first Razorback defensive lineman to earn a first-team selection since Jake Bequette in 2011.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Jackson as the No. 3 defensive end in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
2022 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 13 games, starting seven, while collecting 23 total tackles with three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble … Three sacks ranked fifth on the team and ranks third among returners … Made his Arkansas debut with a five-tackle game with a half sack in win over Cincinnati (Sept. 3) … Recorded a sack as part of three-tackle performance in win vs. Missouri State (Sept. 17) … Made it two games in a row with a sack with one vs. Texas A&M (Sept. 24), made three total tackles and forced a fumble … Logged a pair of stops vs. Alabama (Oct. 1) … Made three tackles at Mississippi State (Oct. 8) … Blocked a field goal attempt at Auburn (Oct. 29) … Chipped in three tackles vs. Liberty (Nov. 5) … Made one stop vs. LSU (Nov. 12), including a half sack … Made two tackles, including a half tackle for loss, in AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory over Kansas (Dec. 28).
At LSU
2021 (FRESHMAN): Played in five games, seeing all his action on special teams … Did not record any statistics … Joined the program as an early enrollee, graduating from high school in December and enrolling at LSU in January 2021.
HIGH SCHOOL: Consensus four-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 7 defensive lineman nationally and the No. 19 prospect in the state of Texas by 247Sports … Ranked the nation’s No. 76 prospect in the class of 2021 by ESPN … Played on the defensive line for head coach Josh Gibson at Pleasant Grove High School … Racked up over 45 sacks in his high school career, including 17.0 in 2019 as a junior… As a junior, named the Texas Sports Writers Association 4A Defensive Player of the Year, MaxPreps First-Team All-American as he helped Pleasant Grove to a Texas 4A D-II state championship … As a sophomore, unanimous first team all-district selection … As a freshman, was named Texas District 7-4A-II Defensive Newcomer of the Year and helped Pleasant Grove to a state championship … Sports Illustrated All-American candidate … CHOSE LSU OVER: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Tennessee and others.
Elite height. Enormous frame with a ton of space to add bulk to already impressive build. Put together like a college hybrid edge. Has played variety of spots for perennial Texas 4A D-II state title contender, including off-ball LB, standing edge, and traditional end. Also ample snaps at tight end, especially as a senior. Provided outstanding defensive production and the occasional big-play splash on offense when healthy. Frame potential suggests possibility to fit multiple positions in varying schemes. Flashes quick get-off with terrific closing speed in pursuit. Dangerous from the backside. Fairly fluid as a rusher, bends pretty well relative to height/length, and runs the arc naturally. Arrives with a purpose and can provide the big hit. Comes from a strong 4A TXHSFB program with ample big-game experience. High-cut and struggles maintaining pad leverage at times. Natural arc-runner but must become more violent at point of attack and add nuance to pass-rush arsenal. Heavier, physical linemen can get inside his length and neutralize his athleticism. Playmaking drive sometimes runs him out of plays. Durability is a concern; suffered two significant season-ending injuries: ACL as a sophomore and ankle as a senior. Long-term positional home is somewhat of a question mark given unique play style/frame potential combo. Raw but naturally gifted, toolsy defensive end with a very high ceiling. Could become impact defensive end/edge player at the high-major level. Owns long-term NFL Draft potential with a ceiling in the top half.
2022 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 13 games, starting seven, while collecting 23 total tackles with three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble … Three sacks ranked fifth on the team and ranks third among returners … Made his Arkansas debut with a five-tackle game with a half sack in win over Cincinnati (Sept. 3) … Recorded a sack as part of three-tackle performance in win vs. Missouri State (Sept. 17) … Made it two games in a row with a sack with one vs. Texas A&M (Sept. 24), made three total tackles and forced a fumble … Logged a pair of stops vs. Alabama (Oct. 1) … Made three tackles at Mississippi State (Oct. 8) … Blocked a field goal attempt at Auburn (Oct. 29) … Chipped in three tackles vs. Liberty (Nov. 5) … Made one stop vs. LSU (Nov. 12), including a half sack … Made two tackles, including a half tackle for loss, in AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory over Kansas (Dec. 28).
At LSU
2021 (FRESHMAN): Played in five games, seeing all his action on special teams … Did not record any statistics … Joined the program as an early enrollee, graduating from high school in December and enrolling at LSU in January 2021.
HIGH SCHOOL: Consensus four-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated the No. 7 defensive lineman nationally and the No. 19 prospect in the state of Texas by 247Sports … Ranked the nation’s No. 76 prospect in the class of 2021 by ESPN … Played on the defensive line for head coach Josh Gibson at Pleasant Grove High School … Racked up over 45 sacks in his high school career, including 17.0 in 2019 as a junior… As a junior, named the Texas Sports Writers Association 4A Defensive Player of the Year, MaxPreps First-Team All-American as he helped Pleasant Grove to a Texas 4A D-II state championship … As a sophomore, unanimous first team all-district selection … As a freshman, was named Texas District 7-4A-II Defensive Newcomer of the Year and helped Pleasant Grove to a state championship … Sports Illustrated All-American candidate … CHOSE LSU OVER: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Tennessee and others.
PERSONAL: Son of Katie Peek and Larry Jackson … Has two brothers, Lance Jackson and Bronx Peek, and one sister, Kensington Peek … Born January 2, 2003.
2020: Played seven games as a senior before suffering season-ending ankle injury.
2019: Texas Sports Writers Association 4A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior; MaxPreps First-Team Junior All-American; helped Pleasant Grove to Texas 4A D-II state championship.
2018: Unanimous first-team all-district selection as a sophomore but saw his season end early with an ACL injury.
2017: Texas District 7-4A-II Defensive Newcomer of the Year award as a freshman; helped Pleasant Grove to Texas 4A D-II state championship.
Leave a Reply