Jackson praised by NFL pros, continues to make his name

Last summer, Warner Robins cornerback Antwon Jackson was working with his trainer three to five days out of the week. The COVID-19 pandemic had shut down all his plans of attending showcases and camps to attract recruiting interest.

As an unranked junior, Jackson had to focus on his craft and wait for next summer to prove his talents to coaches and recruiters. His work still showed in season though as Jackson was a vital piece of the Demons’ state championship winning defense.

Now six months removed from the championship, Jackson is making up for the lost summer.

“This summer opened up and gave me one last chance to show these coaches what I can do before the regular season,” said Jackson of how he’s treating this offseason. “Every camp I see, I legit try to go to and do my best. I only get to do this once, so I’ve got to make it count. It’s my last summer so I’ve got to do it.”

Over the weekend, Jackson competed in the Power 15 DB Skills Camp in Atlanta & earned praise from some of the NFL’s top cornerbacks in Marlon Humphrey, Darius Slay, rookie Jaycee Horn and Perry’s very own, Casey Hayward.

The Power 15 DB Skills Camp (presented by Hayward and former NFL player Justin Miller) had the top defensive backs in Georgia compete to see who the top dogs were. By the end of the day, Jackson’s impression carried over to social media.

A reel of his camp performance was reposted by Humphrey and Hayward on Twitter, both mentioned how Jackson “went crazy” at the camp. He basically stole the show. Hayward even retweeted Jackson’s Hudl film, showing love to the Middle, Ga. youngster.

“It really made me feel good,” Jackson said of the experience. “Pros were telling me (I’ll) be somebody if (I) just keep my head right and keep working, like I can actually make it. That really opened my eyes like, OK, I’ve got to go a little bit harder. It was just a good experience overall.

“A lot of those kids were from Grayson, Westlake, a lot of bigger Atlanta schools, 6A schools and 7A schools. You know, I’m coming from Middle, Georgia. My mindset was—like I told the coaches and trainers there—I’m different. I come from a different area so I’ve got to show y’all what we do where I come from.”

Jackson, like many Houston County athletes, is accustomed to being overlooked.

A lot of coaches at the camp were already familiar with the other players, they didn’t really know about Jackson beforehand. Now, they’re probably still raving about him.

This is just the beginning for Jackson. The offers and praise he’s received over this offseason is just a step. He’s on a mission to make his name known as one of the top talents and set out some personal goals to achieve that status.

“I want to lead 5A in interceptions,” said Jackson of his goals. “I only had one last year, the ones that I dropped I should’ve caught. I’ve just got to work. Of course, I want to win a state championship again and I want to be All-State. I want everybody to know I’m the best at what I do.”

There’s much more to come from the rising senior and it’s certain you’ll continue to hear Jackson’s name throughout the year.

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