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Kentucky Football: Top 5 prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

By Aaron Gershon

LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 26: Jamar Watson #31 and Calvin Taylor Jr. #91 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate after a defensive stop against the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 26: Jamar Watson #31 and Calvin Taylor Jr. #91 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate after a defensive stop against the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 16: Center Drake Jackson #52 of the Kentucky Wildcats plays against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 16: Center Drake Jackson #52 of the Kentucky Wildcats plays against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

4. Drake Jackson, OC

It’s hard to find a more reliable center in the country than Kentucky’s Drake Jackson. He was named a U.S. Army All-American as a Senior in High School. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2016, he started the final seven games of the 2017 season for the Wildcats and has not missed a start since.

Jackson helped pave the way for Benny Snell Jr.’s record-breaking 2018 season and in 2019 helped guide the Wildcats SEC-leading rushing attack. He was named AP First-Team All-SEC in 2019 and America’s second-Team center by Pro Football Focus.

In Kentucky’s 38-14 victory over Vanderbilt in 2019 in Nashville, Jackson was named co-SEC Lineman of the Week. He graded out at 90 percent for the afternoon, recording nine knockdown blocks, 27 blocks at the point of attack and did not allow a sack or pressure as the Wildcats ran for 528 yards on the Commodores.

Now a day, NFL teams more than ever value durability. Jackson has proven to be just that in the toughest conference in college football. The center will likely be among the top-ranked centers in next year’s draft and be considered a lock to hear his name called as long as he stays healthy in 2020.

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