Giles Jackson went out with an exclamation point in his final collegiate game. Against Louisville in the Sun Bowl, Jackson hauled in 11 catches for 161 yards and four touchdowns. “We’ve been doing this,” Jackson told the assembled media at Washington’s Pro Day Monday. “We’ve been playing like that all year at practice…nothing new I felt like.” At Pro Day he continued to impress, standing out in his individual testing and as a pass catcher during the throwing session.
Giles Jackson’s Pro Day
Individual Testing Numbers
“I surprised myself with the bench,” he said. “[I] honestly didn’t know I was going to hit that many reps, but happy about it.” Jackson charted 12 reps at the bench press at the beginning of the day, and it set the tone for what his performance would be the rest of the morning. During the testing period, he was measured at 5’-8 ⅛” and 187 pounds. Jackson sprung 37.5” into the air in his vertical jump, the highest of all 14 Huskies participating.
“I ran slow,” Jackson began somewhat jokingly. He said afterwards that his goal was a 4.3-second 40-yard dash time. But the number he clocked was still impressive. “They said 4.42, 4.41,” he said. That time would have been tied for eighth-fastest at this year’s NFL Combine out of over 30 wide receivers that participated.
Position Group Drills
The last session of the morning was the throwing session, where Jackson caught passes from quarterback Will Rogers. He hauled in around a dozen catches during the drill. That included an impressive diving catch on a deep ball from Rogers. It was a pass that traveled around 50 yards in the air. Jackson’s post route took him from the far side of the field to the near side, where he caught the football over his left shoulder as he dove to the turf. The catch received a roar from his teammates in attendance, and left scouts and members of the media impressed.
Afterwards, Jackson said he felt good about his performance during the throwing session. “I ran good routes I felt like…I’m happy with it.” The six-year collegiate player logged just 26 catches in two years as a Michigan Wolverine. After transferring to Washington, he never surpassed 30 receptions in a season until 2024. This past season was the year it all changed.
“I can play football, I’ve been doubted a lot,” Jackson said after Pro Day. His utilization as a receiver had been limited during his career until last Fall. Jackson removed all doubt that he can play the position, and play it well. His 2024 campaign included 85 receptions, 893 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. All three metrics were career highs for Jackson. His pitch to organizations at the next level is, “I can do it all.” Jackson continued, “Running back, receiver, kick return, kickoff, whatever you need me to do, I can do it.”
Main Image: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
