Oregon linebacker Devon Jackson bypassed the draft for a final stand in Eugene, embracing a "do or die" mentality to elevate his stock from late-round prospect to defensive cornerstone.
The Oregon Ducks are expected to have several players taken on Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2027 NFL Draft.
Certainly, a few players who returned to Eugene for 2026 could have had their name called early in April. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore could have been the No. 2 or No. 3 pick in this year's draft.
Ducks linebacker Devon Jackson chose to return to play college football this season because he felt he had no other choice. Jackson, a senior from Omaha, Nebraska, recorded 16 tackles for Oregon last season.
For Jackson, it's prove it or bust.
"Man, I'm ready. I'm ready to just show it every play because this is it," Jackson said, via Don Smalley of Ducks Wire. "This is the only guarantee that I have for myself. I wasn't a Dante (Moore) or a Stu (Evan Stewart) or a Poncho (Iapani Laloulu) or all those other guys that they could have gone to the league. I'm just being honest.
"This is do or die for me. And so, like, I have to bring it every day. There is no other option. There was no choice. It's do or die now. And we're going to do it together to get where we want to go, for sure."
This will be Jackson's fifth season with Oregon. The six-foot-two, 235-pound linebacker has recorded 106 tackles, passes defensed, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble during his time in college football.
Jordan Reid of ESPN is hearing that Jackson is considered a Day 3 pick by scouts in the league this summer.
Jackson will benefit from playing around Day 1 and Day 2 caliber players in front of him on the defensive line and behind him in the secondary. Given the competitive nature of head coach Dan Lanning’s defense, those teammates will only push Jackson to work harder this fall.
Just because Jackson would have likely been undrafted in 2026 doesn't mean he has no path to the league. He's a talented and experienced player, and he could be poised for a breakout season on Oregon this fall.
