Eastern Michigan Athletics
Darius Jackson Prepared for 2016 NFL Draft
4/28/2016 9:37:00 AM | Football
The former EMU running back will look to hear his name called in the three-day selection process
Darius Jackson Story.
Great Ibe Story.
CHICAGO (EMUEagles.com) - Former Eastern Michigan University running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) is prepared and poised to be drafted into the NFL this upcoming week in the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago, April 28-30, at the Auditorium Theatre.
Jackson will look to become the first player from Eastern to be selected into the NFL since T.J. Lang was chosen 109th overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2009 draft. He would be the 27th EMU player to be picked in the draft all-time, and the first running back since Gary Patton was selected 172nd overall by the New York Jets in 1988.
The 6-foot-1, 220 pound running back has made waves since his NFL Pro Day where he caught the attention of scouts after running a 4.35 40-yard dash, jumping a 41-inch vertical, 133-inch broad jump and a 4.27-second 20-yard shuttle. The 41-inch vertical would tie for eighth-best among running backs at the Combine since 2006, while the 133-inch broad jump would tie for fifth-best over that span.
Since the Pro Day, Jackson has been training closer to his home in Sparta at a facility in Saint Louis. He says now that the workouts are over, he's ready to hear his name called.
"I'm just so anxious for this thing to happen," Jackson said. "I'm just ready to get to work."
Jackson turned in one of the finest seasons in Eastern Michigan history in 2015, setting the school's single-season record with 16 touchdowns. He also became the first EMU tailback since Bronson Hill in 2013 to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and is just the 13th player in program history to do so. Jackson finished the year with 1,089 yards on the ground, which is the 10th most in a single-season in EMU history. He also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
One of the best backs in both the Mid-American Conference and the country this season, Jackson finished the regular season second in the league in rushing at 90.7 yards a game. The total ranked 37th in the country. Jackson also totaled 8.0 points a game, which was third in the MAC and 54th in the nation. Additionally, 14 of his 16 touchdowns were rushing touchdowns, which finished second in the MAC and 17th in the country.
At the conclusion of the season, Jackson was recognized for his substantial efforts by being named to the MAC All-Conference third team, as well as the second team on Phil Steele's Postseason All-MAC list. He also participated in the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, played in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 23.
Other Eagles who will hope to hear their names called during the three-day selection process are linebacker Great Ibe and wide receiver Dustin Creel who showcased their talents in front of pro teams in the months leading up to the draft.
All three days of the 2016 NFL Draft can be watched live on ESPN, with coverage starting at 8 p.m., Thursday April 28, with Round 1. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m., Friday April 29, while the concluding Rounds 4-7 will take place beginning at noon, Saturday, April 30.
EMU's National Football League Draft Choices
Great Ibe Story.
CHICAGO (EMUEagles.com) - Former Eastern Michigan University running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) is prepared and poised to be drafted into the NFL this upcoming week in the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago, April 28-30, at the Auditorium Theatre.
Jackson will look to become the first player from Eastern to be selected into the NFL since T.J. Lang was chosen 109th overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2009 draft. He would be the 27th EMU player to be picked in the draft all-time, and the first running back since Gary Patton was selected 172nd overall by the New York Jets in 1988.
The 6-foot-1, 220 pound running back has made waves since his NFL Pro Day where he caught the attention of scouts after running a 4.35 40-yard dash, jumping a 41-inch vertical, 133-inch broad jump and a 4.27-second 20-yard shuttle. The 41-inch vertical would tie for eighth-best among running backs at the Combine since 2006, while the 133-inch broad jump would tie for fifth-best over that span.
Since the Pro Day, Jackson has been training closer to his home in Sparta at a facility in Saint Louis. He says now that the workouts are over, he's ready to hear his name called.
"I'm just so anxious for this thing to happen," Jackson said. "I'm just ready to get to work."
Jackson turned in one of the finest seasons in Eastern Michigan history in 2015, setting the school's single-season record with 16 touchdowns. He also became the first EMU tailback since Bronson Hill in 2013 to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and is just the 13th player in program history to do so. Jackson finished the year with 1,089 yards on the ground, which is the 10th most in a single-season in EMU history. He also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
One of the best backs in both the Mid-American Conference and the country this season, Jackson finished the regular season second in the league in rushing at 90.7 yards a game. The total ranked 37th in the country. Jackson also totaled 8.0 points a game, which was third in the MAC and 54th in the nation. Additionally, 14 of his 16 touchdowns were rushing touchdowns, which finished second in the MAC and 17th in the country.
At the conclusion of the season, Jackson was recognized for his substantial efforts by being named to the MAC All-Conference third team, as well as the second team on Phil Steele's Postseason All-MAC list. He also participated in the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, played in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 23.
Other Eagles who will hope to hear their names called during the three-day selection process are linebacker Great Ibe and wide receiver Dustin Creel who showcased their talents in front of pro teams in the months leading up to the draft.
All three days of the 2016 NFL Draft can be watched live on ESPN, with coverage starting at 8 p.m., Thursday April 28, with Round 1. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m., Friday April 29, while the concluding Rounds 4-7 will take place beginning at noon, Saturday, April 30.
EMU's National Football League Draft Choices
| Year | Player | Draft Number | Team | Round |
| 1955 | Nick Manych | 243 | Baltimore Colts | 21st Round |
| 1967 | Robert Rodwell | 328 | Wahsington Redskins | 13th Round |
| 1970 | Bob Lints | 353 | Green Bay Packers | 3rd Round |
| 1971 | Al Clark | 72 | Detroit Lions | 3rd Round |
| 1972 | Dave Pureifory | 142 | Green Bay Packers | 6th Round |
| 1972 | Will Foster | 170 | Philadelphia Eagles | 7th Round |
| 1972 | Larry Ratcliff | 196 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8th Round |
| 1972 | Sam Elmore | 325 | New England Patriots | 13th Round |
| 1973 | Bill Dulac | 167 | Los Angeles Rams | 7th Round |
| 1973 | Ron Fernandes | 260 | Miami Dolphins | 10th Round |
| 1974 | Jim Pietrzak | 132 | New York Giants | 6th Round |
| 1974 | Dave Boone | 285 | Minnesota Vikings | 11th Round |
| 1974 | Frank Kolch | 333 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 13th Round |
| 1975 | Mike Strickland | 363 | Minnesota Vikings | 14th Round |
| 1976 | Clarence Chapman | 204 | Oakland Raiders | 7th Round |
| 1977 | Mark Carter | 264 | Miami Dolphins | 10th Round |
| 1977 | Jim Stansik | 319 | San Diego Chargers | 12th Round |
| 1978 | Ron Johnson | 22 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1st Round |
| 1981 | Ken Miller | 191 | Dallas Cowboys | 7th Round |
| 1988 | Gary Patton | 172 | New York Jets | 7th Round |
| 1998 | Charlie Batch | 60 | Detroit Lions | 2nd Round |
| 1999 | L.J. Shelton | 21 | Arizona Cardinals | 1st Round |
| 2003 | Kevin Walter | 255 | New York Giants | 7th Round |
| 2004 | Chris R. Roberson | 237 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 7th Round |
| 2008 | Jason Jones | 54 | Tennessee Titans | 2nd Round |
| 2009 | T.J. Lang | 109 | Green Bay Packers | 4th Round |
Players Mentioned
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