Instead of transferring to Power Five school, Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson declares for NFL draft
Instead of pursuing a graduate transfer to a Power Five school, Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson has decided to declare for the NFL draft instead.
Yahoo Sports reported a few weeks ago that Jackson, the MAC Offensive Player of the Year, put his name into the NCAA transfer portal, allowing coaches from other schools to contact him. However, on Sunday, the 6-foot-7, 245-pound Jackson announced his decision to forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility and go to the NFL.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I plan on embracing the challenge,” Jackson said.
A post shared by Tyree Jackson (@tyree.jackson3) on Jan 6, 2019 at 8:00am PST
In 2018, Jackson led Buffalo to one of its best seasons ever. The Bulls went 10-2 in the regular season and won the MAC East title. However, UB blew a big lead to Northern Illinois in the MAC title game and then lost to Troy in the Dollar General Bowl. For the season, Jackson threw for 3,131 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 55.3 percent of his passes.
Over three seasons, Jackson compiled 6,999 yards, 49 touchdowns and 24 interceptions with a 55.8 completion percentage. He also totaled 757 yards and 16 touchdowns rushing over that span.
One school that reportedly showed interest in Jackson as a graduate transfer was Miami. But in the end, Jackson decided to move on.
‘A reach in this draft cycle’
Jackson has a monster arm but has issues with accuracy, consistency and decision-making. It’s no guarantee he gets drafted. From Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel in December:
Jackson is intriguing, as he’s 6-foot-7, 245 pounds and has a body prototype the NFL likes. He also has mechanical flaws – including a long release – that make the NFL a reach in this draft cycle.
And from a previous Thamel report from October:
One scout told Yahoo that he had three throws in a blowout of Rutgers that were the buzz of the scouting community. At 6-foot-7, 245 pounds there will be inevitable comparisons to Byron Leftwich. “He needs to stay in school,” said a scout who’d slotted him around the sixth round. “We’re looking at him as a developmental quarterback for now. He’s flashed some NFL throws, but he really should stay.”
Oregon’s Justin Herbert, considered by many the top quarterback prospect, decided to return to school for his senior season. That means the top of the quarterback class for the 2019 draft is rather unclear.
Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins is expected to declare for the draft and could assume QB1 status after his record-setting season. Otherwise, things feel more wide open than in recent years. Perhaps Jackson could vault up draft boards with strong performances in workouts in front of NFL teams in the coming months.
More from Yahoo Sports:
• Cowboys lose WR Hurns to gruesome injury
• Cowboys defense shines in win vs. Seahawks
• Colts have big challenge ahead after wild-card win
• Forde: Don’t be salty about Clemson-Alabama IV
