It is such an incredible compliment that it borders on pure lunacy.
Certifiable or not, check out what Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin had to say about freshman safety Janzen Jackson:
“It’s going to sound crazy but there are some things he actually does better than Eric (Berry) sometimes,”Kiffin said at his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “He’s not the player Eric is yet. We all know that. But he has potential to be a great player.”
But better than Berry? The junior safety was an All-American on a 5-7 team a year ago. Kiffin didn’t relent. Jackson is special.
“I think he’s going to be an All-American player as long as he stays healthy and keeps practicing hard and preparing hard,” Kiffin said. “He’s one of the hardest guys at practice. He gets it. His dad has done a great job raising him.”
Jackson, who is the son of Miami University defensive backs coach Lance Guidry, is certainly a student of the game. He chose UT in part to learn from defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
Lane Kiffin said playing for his father, Monte, was a big reason why Jackson surprised LSU and signed with UT. Jackson, who is from Lake Charles, La., had been committed to the Tigers for almost a year.
“He actually has looser hips,” Lane Kiffin said, comparing Jackson and Berry.
LSU recruited Jackson to play cornerback. He nearly did the same at UT. After proving himself, UT’s coaches were determined to get him on the field. After much debate, they decided that it would be easier to move junior Dennis Rogan to cornerback because he had played the position throughout his UT career.
That opened the door for Jackson to start at free safety, which he first did in the second game against UCLA and continued to do against Florida.
Jackson never gave up a big play as so many safeties do in their SEC debuts. He also laid one of the hardest hits of the Florida game when he hammered receiver Brandon James in the end zone in the second quarter.
“I was coming out of my coverage just trying to make a play and I saw him throw the ball to Brandon James,” Jackson said after the game. “I just tried to knock the ball loose.”
Jackson did just that, and saved a touchdown when he knocked the ball free. James was slow to get up but returned to the game. The hit seemed familiar — like another UT safety.
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Comments » 36
BillsBrother writes:
Swivels like Eric Berry and hits like Al Wilson!
CRFVols writes:
Part of the benefit to Berry is that he hasn't had an offense that can stay on the field, so he's had plenty of time to gain experience and to be a ball hog. He's gonna end up one of the greats I think. I just hope our staff can convince him to stay another year....but I'm really excited to see what this Jackson kid can do and will become.
CRFVols writes:
Actually, he said he swivels better than EB...his hips are more open...he would be better playing corner than EB would is what was said.
cmoore7 writes:
Berry said Janzen is better than he is, after the game Saturday, so it's no surprise to hear it from Kiffin.
Beat Ohio
FlaVol2 writes:
That has to be a great complement!
VolunteerLifer writes:
Just ask Brandon James if Jackson is better - or at least just as good - at some things than Berry.
orangetothebone writes:
Yea of so little faith..........DO YOU HEAR ME? Leave your criticism behind. This coaching staff knows what they are doing and there is a plan. If they say JC is the best QB to go with, I believe it. Let's all put our faith in them and cheer them on. Do not boo them and put down our own. Every guy out there is putting their hearts and bodies on the line.................there will be fruits from this harvest that we will all enjoy. GO Vols!
Cldvols1 writes:
Should they already go ahead and have billboards in the works!haha Nah, that's awesome I like the direction this program is heading. Go Vols!
rclarkvols#224537 writes:
Eric Berry will probably be the top pick in the draft this year and no worse than the number 3 pick. Why would you want him to come back to school for another year? I will bet that coach Kiffin insists he not come back.
tngivem6 writes:
That was a beautiful hit by Jackson..
did it look like to you that maybe Jackson may have hurt his shoulder after the hit?
Its all over youtube..watch it, for the smack down..
Very nice hit
ChrisM30TN writes:
It looked to me like he may have gotten what they call a "stinger" it is like a pinched nerve. You feel a sharp tingling pain all the way down to your finger tips. The few I have gotten only lasted for a few minutes, but I have heard of them hurting for a couple of days.
chargervol writes:
He probably got a stinger. He finished the game so I'd say he is alright. That was an attitude hit. The lil' timmy vs. Eric Berry was a good hit, but, the lick Jackson put on James...priceless! GO VOLS!!!!
utvolfan16 writes:
Brandon James would have taken the hit and held on to the ball if he didn't have the flu!!!! HeHe
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
“He actually has looser hips,” Lane Kiffin said.
......So is that like Elvis loose or Brittany loose?
GerryOP writes:
Me too bud ... awesome hit! Finally got "payback" for Gaffney!
The "Great/All American/All World/All Universe" Brandon James being taken out by a UT frosh! Priceless!
doubledown writes:
That lick on Brandon James will be in the highlight reels for a few years. OMG what an explosive tackle.
reidtownriverrat writes:
Berry is twice the player Jackson is , that hit in the endzone hurt Jackson more than it did James. By the way Brandon James is about a buck 50. Who do you want to go to battle with a pup or a pit.
xvolx writes:
they need to move Rogan somewhere. He can't play corner. Plays too far off receivers.
ChurchHillVol67 writes:
So there is this paper/magazine printed over here where I am working. It is around the Charlotte, NC area. The paper is called The Slammer. It has pics and charges of ppl who have commited crimes in this area. My prob is halfway through the paper is the headline Football Felons with a pic of ERIC BERRY> Now thats a prob so are they calling Eric a felon? Why are they even using his pic. Who at the University do I report this too? Anyone know
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Thanks for supplying the requisite stupid. Of course, you'll have to look up "requisite."
reidtownriverrat writes:
requisite= essential The defenition for stupid is ALLVol2008#1353998 thank you and have a good night.
volpreacher writes:
i'm going to look it up but pretty sure James is closer to 200. He put on a lot of weight to try to improve draft status. Face it 150 or 200, he got smacked and we never heard from him again in the game. Swallow your pride gator girls, there's a new sheriff in town. Orange Swarm baby.
News Release: Florida Gators and Urban Meyer reporting mass cases of the Whine Flu
JoeVols writes:
Kiffin says Jackson "does things better than Berry.".....THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!
jimr07 writes:
correction: Urban says it is "flu like symptoms."
volpreacher writes:
Looked up the rosters of both teams:
Jansen Jackson 6' 180 lbs
Brandon James 5'7" 185 lbs.
Any questions now?
deakinbi writes:
He's played 3 games...I'd like it to be true,,,even just a bit true, but come on CLK you can't be serious....Had he picked one off and ran it back 90 yards vs. Tegow then maybe you say he seems to be on track...but not yet. Let him earn it.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Both Coach Kiffins have already gone on the record encouraging Berry to enter the draft next year. Part of the system that Kiffin has implemented is designed to attract elite recruits by marketing UT football as a gateway to the NFL. It makes sense if you think about it. NFL football is as much a profession as bank manager or medical doctor, just more exclusive. If UT wants to compete at the highest level, it's going to have to recruit the best talent and provide them with the training necessary to compete in the professional world. It's the same as any graduate program at UT...except it's football.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Best bet would be to send a copy of the magazine with a letter describing where you acquired it, what page Berry's picture appears on and mail it directly to UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton. Let UT Athletics handle it.
Here's the Address:
Mike Hamilton
UT Athletics
P.O. Box 15016
Knoxville, TN 37901-5016
UTmartinVOL writes:
It looks like we're gonna still be in good shape in the next few years with Jackson back there. I just hope when Martin plays the Vols next year, Jackson doesn't hurt the Skyhawks too badly.
Vol_in_Texas writes:
Better or not, JJ is gonna be another great player. I believe Berry said himself that Jackson was further along than himself when he got to UT in the spring so maybe there is something to the statment. Would love to see Berry and Jackson starting after both had another year experience under CMK, but I won't hold my breath that Berry will stay another year. Go Vols.
The_Real_UT writes:
Dear God, that is awful. Have her start doing some kegel exercises.
gnm53108 writes:
Aunt Bee?
volsreign writes:
James had the ball a lot longer than Gaffney (relatively speaking). Can't believe they didn't call it a touchdown.
hueypilot writes:
Having spent a lifetime with some thoughts of hips as they are configured in the female of the species, and not a single thought of how they are arranged in the male, could someone explain to me the mention of "hips" in evaluating players. Does that mean they are able to turn them more quickly to change direction quicker? I am confused and looking for help here. I'd still rather think more about women's hips than men's but I'm reaching out here. Help, please.
johnlg00 writes:
Yes, a DB with "loose hips" can change direction quicker than one with "tight hips". Although the term is not well known among casual fans, it is one key variable pro player personnel look at in a prospective DB draftee. It often determines who they think is better suited for CB, looser hips, or safety, tighter hips.
johnlg00 writes:
By using the words "knows it" in your screen name and posting this garbage, it is certain that you over-rate yourself! Would these be some of the same scouts who thought Ryan Leaf would be a better pro QB than Peyton Manning(;-P)?
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