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UCF DB Antione Jackson Graded Among Nation's Best
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- UCF DB Antione Jackson Graded Among Nation's Best
(IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Connect)
Through the opening four weeks of UCF's season, Alex Grinch's defense has shined, holding TCU to just 13 points in the Knights' Big 12 opening win , and capitalizing with multiple takeaways.
The defensive backfield has been extremely strong, with veteran corners like Jayden Bellamy , Demari Henderson , and Antione Jackson shutting down the perimeter.
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Jackson, who is in his third season at UCF, became a real contributor last season, starting in all 12 games.
The Lauderhill, FL, native talked about his goals to go out on top, and help his teammates build a strong relationship with one another this offseason.
"I want to do whatever I can to help the team be as close as possible," Jackson said in April. "Build a brotherhood and want to have a winning season, man."
To this point, the Knights look like they are having fun, with Jackson being touted as one of the top defensive backs in the country.
On Monday, Pro Football Network's Cam Mellor released the grades for the top corners in the FBS, with Jackson falling in at No. 6 (92.0).
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His ability in coverage has been strong, while also showing the ability to be a ball hawk in Grinch's secondary.
On Saturday, Jackson recorded his second interception as a Knight, and the first since 2024.
With just under four minutes to play, and UCF holding onto a 21-13 lead, the wiry 6-foot-1 corner came up with a pick, returning it 19 yards the other way, and setting up the Knights to leave their conference opener victorious.
He was also second on the team in tackle, bringing down four Horned Frogs players and demonstrating his ability in the open field.
Moving forward, as UCF enters a brutal three-game stretch against ranked opponents, Jackson and the rest of UCF's secondary will need to continue to produce.
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The first matchup of the gauntlet is Saturday against No. 20 ranked Houston, who looks like one of the top-3 teams in the conference.
Senior quarterback Connor Weigman has gotten off to a flaming start to his final collegiate season, slinging 11 passing touchdowns and just one interception.
However, the Knights have shown the ability to give Weigman problems in the past, with the 6-foot-3 gunslinger surrendering three interceptions to UCF defensive back Phillip Dunnam in last season's Space Game.
Of course, UCF was not able to come away with the victory, but Dunnam's peformance definitely put some things on tape for Grinch to try to replicate this time around.
Senior receiver Amare Thomas remains the Cougars' top pass-catching threat, so expect Jackson, Bellamy, and Henderson to be keyed in on him and Weigman early on.
