Former Georgia Bulldogs walk-on Dan Jackson announces 2025 NFL Draft decision

He leaves for the draft after logging a career-high 64 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble for the Dawgs in 2024. 

What makes Jackson so special is that Georgia never recruited the hometown kid back in 2019 when he joined the scout team, nor did he ever become a scholarship player when he became a full-time starter. 

And that's exactly why coach Smart believes Jackson has what it takes to make it at the next level. 

"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 his final season with plenty of uncertainty surrounding his senior year and life after Georgia football, but according to Smart, the hometown underdog's football career is just getting started. 

"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."