Thanks to SEC opponents, Kentucky C Drake Jackson says he’s ready for N.C. State All-American
By Keith Farner
Published:
Kentucky’s offensive line has long prided itself on being one of the more solid units around.
The “Big Blue Wall” was named semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, annually given to the nation’s top offensive line, for the second straight season. When the award semifinalists were announced, The Wildcats were fifth in the SEC in rushing at 187.7 yards per game and Kentucky’s offensive line has paved the way for top rusher, Christopher Rodriguez Jr., to average 6.9 yards per carry which leads the SEC and ranks 12th nationally. Playing in just eight games, he has totaled 701 rushing yards and a team-high nine touchdowns.
But UK will get a test in the Gator Bowl on Saturday from N.C. State nose tackle Alim McNeill, who was named second-team Associated Press All-American. McNeill made 26 tackles, and had a pick six in the win at Virginia. Asked about facing the likes of McNeill, Kentucky center Drake Jackson said he welcomed the challenge, and was prepared. He noted previous matchups against players like Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons, and South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw.
“It excites me,” Jackson told reporters recently. “I love playing against good football players. … Really every team in our conference has great players. I’m excited, obviously we’re planning on him playing in the game. Ultimately, the way I approach each game is the same. I try to dictate to the defensive line what I’m doing. I try to make my mark. I don’t want to react to what he’s doing, in a way, I want him to react to me. So I try … to treat everybody like it’s the same. We just played 10 SEC games, you’re not going to see defensive lines much better than that.”
The Gator Bowl is set for noon on Saturday.
Some might be intimidated to face an All-American. Not @THE_DRAKE_52. Cue the goosebumps. https://t.co/34RggIpIZ3 pic.twitter.com/8SpUSRFhyz
— Dale Saltwater (@RoushKSR) December 31, 2020
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
