Most Impactful Rebels for 2019: No. 49 Dannis Jackson
OXFORD, Miss. — As we count down the days until the Ole Miss season opener on against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl on August 31st, we are releasing who we think will be the Top 50 Most Impactful Players for the Rebels this upcoming season. This series is a way for Ole Miss fans to learn more about the players to keep an eye on this fall.
With 49 days before kickoff, coming in at No. 49 on our list…..
No. 49 – Dannis Jackson
Dannis Jackson
Jackson was an Under Armor All-American and consensus four-star prospect according to Rivals, ESPN, and 247Sports Composite Rankings. He finished with 63 catches for 1,157 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior at Sumrall (Miss.) High School and was named to the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen for 2018.
Ole Miss signed four wide receivers in the class of 2019. Dannis was the second-highest rated signee in the recruiting class and the highest-rated wide receiver signee for the Rebels. He will definitely be in the mix to help replace the three star receivers now in the NFL: A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, and DaMarkus Lodge.
Ole Miss wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler loves Jackson’s ability on the outside at wide receiver.
“Dannis has a unique ability to take the top off the defense, make the defender miss and has tremendous change of direction. He excelled in football, basketball and baseball, and we are really excited to see him develop and grow.”
Ole Miss WR Coach Jacob Peeler
Right now, the wide receiver position consists of junior Braylon Sanders, JUCO transfer Dontario Drummond, redshirt freshman Miles Battle, redshirt freshman Demarcus Gregory, and true freshman Jordan Jernigan. Jackson will have every opportunity to earn rotational minutes this fall after competing in fall camp in August.
Jackson’s speed and shiftiness on the outside will allow the true freshman receiver to get some separation between defensive backs on deep post and flag routes. And if Jackson’s skills continue to develop as a blocker on the outside against defensive backs during screen plays, he is likely to get on the field sooner and will be more than just a formidable deep ball threat. As talented as Jackson is, we expect to see him contribute as a true freshman.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Jackson chose Ole Miss over Florida, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas, Oregon and Mississippi State, among others.
“We’re always going to play the best players, and I’m excited to see what those guys bring,” Coach Peeler said. “I think obviously they’re going to get thrown in the fire, no differently than the freshmen did last year, and see if they can help us. If they can, then they’re going to play. I’ve always lived by the philosophy the best players were going to play regardless of what year (in college).”
With his skills and size, Jackson certainly could be higher on this Top 50 list of impactful players on the roster for the Rebels, as he could very well be a playmaker who is a big contributor on offense this season. However, with the experience and depth ahead of him at the position and not having gone through spring training, we feel this is a fair place to start. Jackson’s speed and elusiveness could potentially lead to some big touchdown catches on vertical routes that Rebel fans have grown accustom to in recent memory.
Hotty Toddy!
Top 50 Most Impactful Rebels:
49. Dannis Jackson
50. Jonathan Mingo
Derrell Hart
Derrell has covered Ole Miss athletics in the past for Rebels247 at 247Sports. He attended Delta State University where he graduated with a B.S. in Biology. He is currently pursuing his Pharm.D. at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy with an expected graduation of May, 2020.
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