Dan Jackson’s NFL draft stock just went up following Kirby Smart’s comments after Auburn win

For the second week straight, Georgia senior defensive back Dan Jackson finished leading the team in tackles as the Bulldogs went on to beat the Auburn Tigers 31-13 at home on Saturday evening. 

Jackson followed up last week's six-tackle performance against Alabama with seven  versus the Tigers. He also blocked a 54-yard field goal attempt. 

Jackson, who was never recruited by Georgia back in 2021 when he joined the scout team -- nor is he a scholarship player -- is currently tied for second on the team in tackles with 19 total (13 solo). 

When asked about Jackson's growth from walk-on to starter, head coach Kirby Smart had extremely high praise for the former underdog. 

"This is one of the greatest stories of college football that nobody talks about," Smart said. "I mean, the guy, he didn't walk on until we called him. He got in school here and said, 'Hey, Coach, I would like to play football at Georgia.' Like we didn't recruit him. We recruited Ladd McConkey. We recruited these walk-ons. This guy showed up at our doorstep, and as a starter, as a competitor, and blocking field goals. He didn't have to come back this year. I mean he came back because he loves this place. He loves Georgia. He don't do it for him. He don't do it for money. He's never asked for anything. I mean, he loves the place."

Jackson entered the season with uncertainty surrounding his senior season and life after Georgia, but Smart believes the hometown underdog's football career will be far from over  -- and it's not just because of his stats. 

"I mean, there's somebody out there, some fan, and they say, 'Well, you know, you can do NIL.' Somebody ought to say, 'Dan Jackson, I will take care of you for the rest of your life,' because I promise you, he'll be the best employee, the best worker. I mean, that's after his football career," Smart said. "Because I really believe the guy got a chance to play in the National Football League because he's fast, he's tough, he's smart."

If Jackson was not on many NFL scouts' radars ahead of the 2024 season, he sure is now.