Donte Jackson is synonymous with speed.
The sophomore cornerback’s 4.24 40-yard dash time is evidence, but his speed has been decreasingly the talk of his game as he showcases improved technique while suppressing Southeastern Conference receivers.
With senior cornerback Tre’Davious White’s transition from No. 1 corner to playmaking nickelback, the Metairie, Louisiana native earned White’s previous role and has since lived up to his four-star status.
“That’s what we do,” Jackson said. “You don’t come to LSU to play corner if you [aren’t] going to be ready to play man-to-man, especially on top 10 receivers playing in the SEC.”
“Donte is a key player in our defense,” senior defensive back Dwayne Thomas said. “He’s a great guy. He’s smart, he learns the game every day with Coach Raymond on him … I love having him on the top receivers.”
The pivotal moment in Jackson’s sophomore campaign came during LSU’s home opener against Jacksonville State.
In a 34-13 drubbing of the Gamecocks, the first-year starter committed an error to the tune of six points he won’t soon forget.
Jacksonville State senior quarterback Eli Jenkins connected with sophomore wide receiver Krenwick Sanders for a 76-yard touchdown with Jackson in coverage after he misplayed the throw.
“It hurts, it touches a soft spot,” Jackson said. “ It was a coverage bust … You don’t give up passes, then you give up a coverage bust for a touchdown, it hurts. But you learn from it.”
Jackson not only took it as a learning experience, but his fractured ego was the light that sparked his transcendence from speedster to a more refined, technique-driven defender.
“I take full responsibility for that touchdown against Jacksonville State, but it’s not going to happen again,” Jackson said.
He said the play motivated him to hone in on his deficiencies to become the true shutdown corner LSU’s system commands.
Working with defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, Jackson has become more trained with his eyes and hands. He added that he’s made a concerted effort to avoid taking false steps while in coverage so he can better stick to his man.
“It’s pretty much history, I’m looking forward to him just making plays all year now,” Thomas said. “He can cover anybody and he knows they’re not going to run by him. He knows if he gets his hands on them and plays physical, he will be a great, dominant corner for us. ”
Jackson showcased his shutdown ability against Missouri junior wide receiver J’Mon Moore, sophomore quarterback Drew Lock’s favorite target and Missouri’s leading receiver with 450 yards and six touchdowns.
Lock went to Moore early with Jackson in coverage to no avail. Jackson held him to one catch for 16 yards on six targets after he entered the game averaging 108.5 yards per game.
“It’s like he was playing with fire,” Jackson said. “I don’t even make it look open, I don’t understand why he was throwing the ball there in the first place.”
With only a game against Southern Miss separating LSU from the meat of its schedule, a three-game slate against Ole Miss, Alabama and Arkansas, Jackson leads the Tigers with seven passes defensed, has one of LSU’s four interceptions and is responsible for jarring a fumble loose.
“[Coach Raymond] never lost faith in me,” Jackson said. “Now people are having problems even catching the ball on me.”