Rion Jackson

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-4, 215 lbs. Taller than 82% and heavier than 47% of 2027 Linebacker prospects in the SEC Scouts database (34 with a listed size).

Play Style

He is a speed-and-length rusher who plays with his hand down or standing up. He wins with his first step and a long first punch, working the tackle's outside shoulder and flattening around the edge with better bend than most players his height. His length makes him a disruptive defender even when he doesn't reach the quarterback: he reads passing lanes, gets hands on balls, and has a pick-six on his record. His 11-tackle, 4-TFL playoff game against Dundalk shows effort in pursuit from the back side. Against the run he relies on quickness to slip blocks and make plays in the backfield more than on taking blockers head-on, which is typical of a thin 17-year-old end. When a lineman gets his hands inside, he can get stuck on the block. Note on stats: sources disagree on his junior numbers (62 tackles/16 TFL/13 sacks in one report, 50/16/9 in another), so this evaluation leans on the consistent pieces: two straight seasons of double-digit TFL and heavy sack production.

Strengths

• Length used as a weapon: an 82-inch wingspan lets him land the first hand and keep tackles off his chest. That is why he shows up in passing lanes too (9 PBUs in one reported season, 6 in another) and why he returned an interception for a touchdown.
• Steady backfield production over two years as a starter: 50 tackles, 13 TFL, 9.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles as a sophomore (second in Anne Arundel County in sacks), then 16 TFL as a junior. He has also had multi-sack games against North County, Severna Park and South River.
• Get-off and closing speed: a 4.69 40 at his size shows up as an explosive first step and range to chase down plays from the back side. That fits Auburn's plan to use him as a stand-up rush end.
• Multi-sport athlete with room to grow: basketball and lacrosse carry over to his hand-eye coordination, spacing and footwork. He was selected for the 2026 Under Armour All-America Game and has a 3.7 GPA, which points to a quick learner.

Areas to Improve

• Strength and weight: at 218 he will get moved off his spot by 300-pound SEC tackles and double teams in the run game. He needs two college offseasons in the weight room to hold the point of attack and avoid being a pass-rush-only player.
• Pass-rush plan and counters: much of his high school production comes from length and speed off the edge against smaller linemen. He needs a reliable inside counter (spin or dip-and-rip) and a power element (long-arm into bull rush) for when tackles take away his speed. He also needs to keep his pad level down, which is a common problem for tall, lean rushers.
• Playing the run with discipline: he needs to keep his outside arm free, squeeze down on pulling linemen, and hold his contain responsibility instead of rushing upfield past the play. SEC offenses attack lean ends with read-option and counter plays.

College Projection

Plan on a development timeline with a clear role for his speed along the way. Year 1 (2027): pass-rush specialist on third down and special teams, likely using the four-game redshirt rule while he adds 15-20 pounds. Year 2: rotational stand-up end or JACK linebacker in Durkin's multiple front at about 235-240, with his snap count tied to his run-down reliability. Years 3-4: a realistic starting outside rusher if his weight reaches 245+ and he develops a counter move. Auburn's room is thin after the Faulk and Crawford departures, so playing time could come sooner than his development would normally allow. That is good for exposure but a risk if he plays a full run-down role before he has the strength for it.

NFL Outlook

Mid-round projection with upside, depending on physical development. Length is the trait NFL scouts value most in edge rushers, and an 82-inch wingspan plus a sub-4.7 40 at 6-5 is a starting point that gets players drafted as projects. The comparison is a lean, long rusher who fills out in college (players who arrive around 215-220 and leave at 250-255). If he reaches about 250 while keeping his burst and shows a productive, polished rush plan in SEC play, he has day-two potential as a 3-4 outside linebacker or wide-9 end. If the weight doesn't come, he projects as a situational pass rusher and day-three pick.

Best Fit

A multiple or 3-4 based defense that can use him as a stand-up outside rusher or JACK, lining him up in wide alignments to maximize his speed and length and limiting his early run-down snaps. The fit also requires a strong strength program and patience through two offseasons of weight gain. Auburn under Durkin and Hutzler matches this well: the edge coach personally recruited him, the scheme values long, athletic outside linebackers who can drop into coverage (his PBU and interception numbers point that way), and the depth chart gives him a path to playing time. Coaching continuity is the main thing to watch before he signs.