No Hesitation: Austin Jackson Comes To Sister's Aid

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Jackson steadily improved and was named All-Pac-12 on the offensive line. He met with various teams at the NFL Scouting combine, but instead of being concerned about his early-season play, they showed compassion for his decision to put family over football.


"It's a respectful (conversation), for sure," Jackson said. "I'm doing all the medical tests, and I'm fully healed from the surgery and the procedure. They know that. Everybody knows that. It's mostly (asked) out of a character and respect thing."


Jackson is an intriguing NFL prospect. His grandfather, Melvin Jackson, played offensive line at USC and with the Packers. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah believes Austin could be a fast riser following his combine work.


"I think he's going to test really well and I think you're going to start hearing his name mentioned in that top-15-type mix," Jeremiah said on a conference call. "He's only 20 years old. He's got great knee bend. He can really move laterally. He's going to get better. … The upside is really endless. And I think he's somebody that maybe people are sleeping on a little bit at this point in time."


Jackson is keeping his head down when it comes to projections.


"You open your phone, get on Twitter and social media, and there's something different every day," he said. "There are late-first projections. There are early-first projections. There are second projections. You have guys that say you should be in the fifth round. All types of stuff."


Jackson's maturity shined through in a 20-minute media session at the combine, and Kliff Kingsbury heard similar reviews during his short stint as offensive coordinator at USC before being hired by the Cardinals.


"Tremendous young man," Kingsbury said. "I was there for six weeks and they raved about his character and the type of young man he is. It's awesome to see the success he's had, knowing he is that type of person."


Jackson showed his selflessness as far back as high school, choosing to remain at North Canyon instead of transferring to a football powerhouse for better visibility during recruitment.


"It's a big loyalty thing with me," Jackson said. "I went to (North Canyon) because all my middle school friends went to that high school. I played other sports as well there. Basketball. Track and field. In track and field we won state every other year. So there were great things there. And loyalty definitely was key."


Autumn couldn't watch her brother play at USC last season, remaining in Phoenix to recuperate from the procedure.


Hopes are high for this fall, when Austin is expected to be on an NFL field -- with his healthy sister watching from the stands.


"That," Austin said, "will be amazing."

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