RB Steven Jackson | Rams Head Coach Mike Martz | Draft section | message board

OVERVIEW

Steven Jackson
Position: Running back
College: Oregon State
Height: 6-2
Weight: 233
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.

Like most franchise backs, Jackson seems to thrive when allowed to carry the bulk of the offensive load … The two-time All-American posted fantastic numbers in 2003 … His career at OSU ended after three seasons, becoming the first Beaver player in history with eligibility remaining to enter the NFL Draft … In 36 games, he carried 743 times for 3,625 yards (4.9 avg.) and 39 touchdowns while adding 680 yards and six scores on 66 catches (10.3 avg.) and 240 yards with a touchdown on seven kickoff returns (34.3 avg.) … His 4,545 all-purpose yards rank second in school history behind Ken Simonton (5,606, 1998-2001) … Also ranks second to Simonton (366) on the school's all-time scoring list with 276 points … His 3,625 yards rushing rank 10th in Pac-10 Conference annals … Ran for over 100 yards in 19 contests. 

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has an athletic, highly chiseled body with good overall upper and lower body muscle development … Shows an explosive burst off the snap to get up the holes and has the speed to accelerate to the second level and break away for a long run … Displays above average balance as a runner, showing the change of direction agility to make the first tackler miss … His outside speed and body control allows him to turn it up when racing around the corner … Will slam it hard up the gut on inside runs, keeping his pad level low and shoulders squared while securely protecting the ball … Despite his size, his hip swerve and quick twitch moves gets him through even the smallest of seams … Very effective receiver on swings and screens, showing natural hands and body control to make adjustments on the ball … Maintains concentration and has good upper body flexibility going for the pass at its high point (won't flinch when getting hit) … Willing blocker who will face up to the defender, displaying a good leg base and anchor … Keeps his shoulders square through the holes and has the elusive burst to move through the piles … Not afraid to take on tacklers, displaying a strong stiff-arm that can rock the opponent back (one of the best stiff-arm techniques in college).

AGILITY TESTS

4.3 in the 40-yard dash (indoors) … 4.45 in the 40-yard dash (outdoors) … 10.6 100-meters … 355-pound bench press … 520-pound back squat … 314-pound power clean … 298-pound push press … 38-inch vertical jump.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Eldorado (Las Vegas, Nev.) High, playing for coach Ken Trujillo … Selected as a first-team prep All-American and the No. 1 prep player in Nevada by SuperPrep following his senior year … Ranked as the 14th best running back in the nation by SuperPrep … Selected to the Las Vegas Sun Super 11 second team, signifying Jackson as one of the top 22 players in the Western United States … ESPN recruiting authority Tom Lemming ranked Jackson as the 62nd best player in the nation on his list of top 100 players … Lemming also ranked Jackson as the 14th best running back in the nation … All-American pick and the 15th best running back on the West Coast by PrepStar … Led the state in rushing as a senior in 2000 with 2,764 yards and 34 touchdowns on 386 carries (7.2 avg.) and caught 14 passes for 263 yards (18.8 avg.) and three touchdowns, giving him 226 points on the season … His 226 points also was the top mark in the state for 2000 … Scored a total of 350 points in his final two years at Eldorado … As a junior, he rushed for 1,212 yards and scored 17 touchdowns to lead the Devils to a 10-3 record, Northeast Division title, the Sunrise Region championship and an appearance in the 4A State Tournament … Named the Player of the Year in the state of Nevada and Southern Nevada's co-Offensive Player of the Year … First-team all-conference (Sunrise Region) pick as a senior as well as first-team all-state … Rushed for over 200 yards in six games as a senior, and had over 300 yards twice, including games of 322 yards and three touchdowns and 315 yards and five touchdowns (was held under 100 yards just once in 13 games) … Finished with 3,976 yards and 51 rushing touchdowns in his career, both marks were school records … Three-year starter in football, a two-year starter in basketball (guard) and was a four-year letterman in track as a sprinter … Posted a 10.6 best at 100 meters as a junior … Following his graduation from Eldorado High, his football jersey number (34) was retired by the school … Was on the honor roll and also a member of the National Honor Society.

PERSONAL

Housing Studies major, enrolled in the College of Health & Human Services … Cousin, Steve Price IV, plays football for Southern Utah … Son of Steve and Brenda Jackson … Born Steven Rashad Jackson on July 22, 1983, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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