'He's a problem now': Jackson among scrimmage standouts

Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson runs through a drill Thursday, March 30, 2023, during practice at the university practice facility in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman said Tuesday he isn’t quite sure how good the Razorbacks’ secondary is at this point in spring practice. 

The statement was made as a result of what the fourth-year coach saw during Arkansas’ scrimmage at Reynolds Razorback Stadium last Saturday: quarterbacks did not have much time to survey the field and throw. 

In other words, the defensive line had a quality day.

Pittman was effusive in his praise of the unit following the ninth practice of the spring. He was impressed with the defense’s play as a whole, and it began up front.

“I really like our defensive ends with [Jashaud Stewart] and Zach [Williams] and Nico [Davillier] and John [Morgan], and of course [Trajan] Jeffcoat — those guys. I think we're coming along,” Pittman said. “We’re pretty talented there. We're a little short on the inside because Cam Ball's got a high ankle [sprain].”

More from WholeHogSports: Notes and observations from the Razorbacks' spring football practice on Tuesday

Defensive end Landon Jackson, though, stood out the most. Pittman noted the LSU transfer “had as good of a day as he’s had since he’s been here.”

He was the first player mentioned Tuesday when Pittman provided a rundown of the team’s weekend work.

“I thought he was so impressive,” Pittman said.

At 6-7 and 269 pounds with terrific length, Jackson is an imposing figure and can be more than a handful on the edge for offensive tackles. Indications are that was the case during last Saturday's scrimmage that was closed.

Jackson’s scrimmage statistics were not disclosed, but he is making a case and push for significant snaps in the fall, as well as a starting job.

In 2022, Jackson started 7 games, including the Liberty Bowl against Kansas, at defensive end and recorded 23 tackles and 3 sacks. Pro Football Focus data shows he had a season-best tackling grade of 75.9 in the triple-overtime victory over the Jayhawks and did not miss a tackle after Week 4.

More from WholeHogSports: Pittman discusses Arkansas' scrimmage last Saturday

Pittman said Jackson was tall and skinny early in his time at Arkansas as he worked his way back from an ACL injury. He was playing at roughly three-quarter speed at times last season.

Not anymore.

“Now he’s bigger, confident, long,” Pittman said. “He’s a problem now — a good problem. He’s on our team, but he’s a problem if you’re an offensive lineman. It’s just his speed and his size right now.

“I mean, he’s been hard to block.”