Jackson continues to shine as Arkansas defense takes charge in scrimmage

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas senior defensive end Landon Jackson is his squad’s most highly regarded player as evidenced by being a 2023 first-team preseason SEC selection and a 2024 preseason one.

Jackson, who had 3.5 of his team-high 6.5 sacks in game at Alabama last season while being named the SEC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week, had three sacks in the Razorbacks’ closed scrimmage on Thursday.

Jackson (6-7, 280), who started his college career at LSU before transferring after one season, noted it’s his last go-around and wants to get the most out of it.

“I go into every day with a mindset ready to go to work,  but just knowing this was my last scrimmage as a Razorback, I wanted to have a day,” Jackson said. “ And I feel like I had a really successful day.

“Really just went in with a mindset to play relentless and really, really set the tone for the season. That’s really just how I came out to practice today.”

Jackson noted the defense, which came away with a whopping eight interceptions in 130 or so plays, flipped the script from last Thursday’s scrimmage.

“I feel like the defense came out with a lot of energy today,” Jackson said. “We had a bad start last week, so our biggest thing going in today was really just flipping the script, changing the tone of the scrimmage and keep it in our hands.

“The DBs got a lot of interceptions. We got a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Just flying around having a good time. So I think overall the defense had a really good day.”

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman lauded Jackson, who had 13.5 tackles for 78 lost yards among his career-high 44 stops last season.

“Landon Jackson was a beast out there today, really played well,” Pittman said. “D-line, overall, really played well.”

Pittman appreciates the effort his defensive star is putting forth in camp, which has just two more practices left before school starts.

“Well, that’s him,” Pittman said. “He just works hard. But I’m gonna tell you what: You can work hard and not be very good. You know what I mean?

“He works hard, and his quickness has really improved. I mean, he’s really improved his technique and his game. Really proud of him.”

Jackson was enthused about what he saw from Albany transfer Anton Juncaj, who has been hampered by an injury in camp.

“He plays with his head on fire,” Jackson said. “He’s flying around making plays. He was all over the field today. I feel like he’s a really talented player. I think that was a great get out of the portal. Nico (Davillier) is playing really good as well.”

Jackson was asked to compare the team’s preseason camp this August to the one last year.

“Not satisfied but I think we are making really good progress opposed to last year,” Jackson said. “We just want to continue to get 1 percent better each day.

“I feel like we are coming in willing to work. We are coming in listening to the coaches, really buying in. I think everybody on this team wants a better season than last year, so we are doing all we can to reap the rewards.”

Jackson noted the defensive line has been showing physicality and did so again on Thursday.

“They played real physical,” Jackson said. “I feel like a guy who does not get talked about a lot, Kevie Rose had a really successful day. He had two or three tackles for loss.

“Cam Ball helped me a lot getting sacks by just keeping the eyes of the guard. Him rushing, getting pressure back there when they are rolling out to me. D-Line… one guy having a big game reflects the whole D-Line. It’s not just that one guy, so I feel like overall the whole D-line played pretty well today.”

Jackson also had words of praise for offensive lineman Emarion Harris, who has shown a difference this season.

“His mindset,” Jackson said. “He came into this year with a different mindset than he previously had. He’s willing to play. He’s been working. He knows what he wants. He wants to play. He’s tired of not playing.

“He’s coming in and working real hard every day. He’s had a great fall camp. He’s worked his way into running with the ones now. I can see that sticking because he’s a really talented player.

“Real good hands, real good feet. And he’s putting on the weight. He went from being too heavy when he first got here to dropping like 100 pounds and got too light. And now he’s starting to finally put on the weight. I think he’s sitting right at 300. I’ve felt like he’s doing pretty good.”

Photo by John D. James