Tennessee Titans select Tennessee safety Theo Jackson in 2022 NFL Draft

Theo Jackson is heading to the NFL. The former Tennessee safety heard his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft on Saturday.

The Tennessee Titans selected Jackson as the No. 204 overall pick in the sixth round draft in Las Vegas. Jackson won’t have to go far for his new home as he gets ready to embark on his professional career.

Jackson, a Nashville native, was a force in Knoxville over the last five years. He totaled 190 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three interceptions as a fifth-year senior for first-year coach Josh Heupel and Co. during the 2021 season. He now becomes the latest Tennessee player to go in the draft this year.

Out of high school, Jackson was a three-star recruit and the No. 16 prospect in the state of Tennessee from the Class of 2017, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Now, he’s heading to the NFL — to play for his hometown team, no less. It’s another great story to come out of the draft this year.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Theo Jackson

Jackson could be seen as a high-upside late-round pick, and NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein offered up his assessment of the former Volunteers defender. There are things for coaches to like, but it might take some time for Jackson to find his place in the league.

“Impressive pro day tester with good size, length and leadership qualities,” Zierlein wrote. “Jackson’s college versatility is less likely to translate into the league, as he lacks the short-area quickness to match routes in man coverage and isn’t aggressive enough to play run support at safety. The traits have scouts’ attention, but finding a long-term spot will be a challenge.”