What a career arc for Lamar Jackson.
The senior corner earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the league’s coaches and media, the conference announced Tuesday. It’s the first such honor for Jackson of his career.
The Elk Grove, California, native started every game in his final season and filled up the stat sheet with career-highs of 40 tackles, 12 pass break-ups, four tackles for loss, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Jackson played a key role in helping Nebraska limit six opponents to fewer than 170 passing yards, including three under 100 yards. As a team, Nebraska allowed its fewest passing yards per game (200.8) since the 2012 season. Jackson—with his 15 total passes defended and 12 breakups, both of which ranked in the top-15 nationally—was a major reason why. He had 10 pass break-ups in his first three seasons, but will finish 10th in school history in the category thanks to his success this past season.
Consider that a season ago the corner was benched mid-year and shown the door if he wasn’t completely invested in the team. Instead, Jackson worked his way back into the rotation and the favor of his coaches, then used this offseason to, with Dicaprio Bootle at the other corner spot, help lead a group of defensive backs go from maligned to beloved in the weight room, in the meeting room and on the practice field.
Jackson this season led the Big Ten in pass break-ups and passes defended, and finished tied for second in interceptions. He picked off opposing quarterbacks three times in 2019 after entering the year with just two for his career.
Also on the all-conference team is senior defensive linemen Khalil Davis, who earned a third-team selection from the league’s coaches.
After an honorable mention nod from league media last season, Davis closed out his Husker career with a career-high 45 tackles (leading all NU defensive linemen) and he led Nebraska with 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Four other Huskers also earned honorable mentions for their seasons: senior defensive lineman Darrion Daniels (selected by the coaches), senior linebacker Mohamed Barry (media), junior defensive back Dicaprio Bootle (media) and sophomore defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt (media).
Nebraska hasn’t had a first-team all-conference selection on the defensive side of the ball since 2014.
The conference’s All-Offensive team will be released Wednesday afternoon.
