Georgia Tech opposing player to watch, defense: Darius Jackson

Jacksonville State defensive end Darius Jackson helped the Gamecocks cruise to a 31-12 win over North Alabama at Burgess-Snow Field in Jacksonville, Ala., on Sept. 1, 2016.  (Matt Reynolds/JSU)

Jacksonville State defensive end Darius Jackson helped the Gamecocks cruise to a 31-12 win over North Alabama at Burgess-Snow Field in Jacksonville, Ala., on Sept. 1, 2016. (Matt Reynolds/JSU)

Georgia Tech plays host to Jacksonville State at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium. To help Tech fans become familiar with key aspects of the Gamecocks, here is a look at a key player on the defense. He is Darius Jackson, an All-American last season and one of the program’s all-time defenders.

A 6-foot-3, 242-pound senior, Jackson was chosen the top defensive player in the Ohio Valley Conference last season and was chosen to first-team Walter Camp All-American among FSC players.

Jackson entered this season as the school’s all-time leader in sacks (20.5) and tackles for loss (40). He added 10 of the sacks and 15.5 of the tackles for loss last season.

He was credited with 10 or more tackles in the final 11 games last season.

In this season’s opener, against Chattanooga on Aug. 26, Jackson recorded four tackles, including one tackle for a loss, of three yards.

Honorable mention: sophomore safety Myron Bridges, who record six tackles against Chattanooga and 87 last season, when he was chosen OVC freshman of the year.