Jackson not questioning choice to enter NFL draft

OMAHA (AP) - Brandon Jackson says he has no idea when he'll be taken in this weekend's NFL draft, but he's certain he made the right decision to leave Nebraska after his junior season.

Jackson gave a one-word answer - “No” - when asked whether he's even once second-guessed himself since declaring for the draft.

Gil Brandt, the former Dallas Cowboys player personnel director who now is senior analyst for NFL.com, said Jackson should have no reason for regrets.

“I think so much of him. He's going to surprise some people,” Brandt said. “At one time I wasn't as high on him. In fact, I thought it would be best for him to stay in school. But he's better than I thought.”

Brandt has Jackson ranked among the top five running backs and projects the 5-foot-10, 210-pounder as a middle-round pick.

Defensive end Adam Carriker is the consensus pick to be the first Nebraska player taken Saturday. Brandt picks him between 10th and 15th overall.

Linebacker Stewart Bradley is projected to go next, followed by defensive end Jay Moore and Jackson.

Defensive linemen Ola Dagunduro and Barry Turner, quarterback Zac Taylor, tight end Matt Herian, safety Andrew Shanle and fullback Dane Todd are free-agent candidates if they aren't taken in the late rounds Sunday.

Jackson said he entered the draft to help his family financially. He'll spend the weekend with relatives in his hometown of Horn Lake, Miss.

“I'm doing this for the right reason,” Jackson said. “I couldn't tell you a thing about where I'm going. It's wide open. It's not like college, where you get to pick the team. The team picks you. I'm willing to go with whoever wants me.”

Jackson didn't carry a heavy load at Nebraska, but he got the most work in last season's four I-back rotation. He averaged 5.3 yards while running for 989 yards and scoring eight touchdowns.

He struggled in testing at the scouting combine, running a 4.55-second 40-yard dash. He ran 4.41 when pro scouts visited Nebraska.

Jackson said strength coach Dave Kennedy ran him through special drills to help him improve his 40 time.

Versatility is Jackson's strong suit, Brandt said. Jackson is a solid receiver out of the backfield, and he could be an asset on special teams.

Carriker and Moore were bookends on Nebraska's defensive line, but both may find themselves in different positions in the NFL.

Carriker, who led the Huskers with seven sacks last season, could play end in a 3-4 alignment or tackle in a 4-3, Brandt said.

“He'll be a very, very good steady football player for a long period of time,” Brandt said.

Moore could play as an end or as a strongside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, Brandt said.

“They worked him at linebacker at the combine, and he looked good dropping (into pass coverage),” Brandt said.

Moore, who had three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Senior Bowl, said he has unfairly been knocked by some draft analysts for, in their opinion, not being as athletic as other defensive linemen. A 4.98-second 40 time at the scouting combine didn't help, but he improved to 4.75 on NU's pro day.

“I think there's almost like a racial stereotype with white d-linemen,” Moore said. “It's automatically, 'White defensive lineman, he must not be athletic.' I think I'm more athletic than some of the African-American d-linemen in the draft.”

Moore said portrayals of him have led him to avoid reading or listen to pre-draft analysis.

“It makes me want to ask these guys, 'What film have you been watching?' “ Moore said. “Some of the stuff is way out there. It's kind of funny the stuff they come up with.”

Brandt said Bradley is an instinctive player who is a tough run-stopper and solid blitzer.

“When you get people like Moore and Carriker and Bradley, it helps your team, because they're smart and hardworking and excellent character guys with good work habits,” Brandt said. “Those are the types you seem to do well with when push comes to shove.”