Georgia Tech freshman linebacker Quez Jackson appeared on the preseason two-deep depth chart that was released Wednesday, just one of six freshmen to be included on the 45-player chart.
At the ACC Kickoff, Tech linebacker and captain Brant Mitchell offered his endorsement of Jackson’s ability, including a significant comparison.
“I love Quez to death,” Mitchell said. “He’s a good kid, and he kind of reminds me of P.J. Davis the way he kind of carries himself and how he acts and the fire that he has and the motor that he has.”
With an unrelenting style and a knack for finding the ball, Davis was a fan favorite during his four seasons at Tech (2013-16). He was a lightly regarded prospect in high school who earned playing time as a freshman and led the Jackets in tackles as a sophomore and junior.Davis played the ’15 and ’16 seasons with Mitchell.
“He’s a guy that, he’ll play this year if he stays healthy and all that stuff,” Mitchell said of Jackson. “But he’s a guy that’s just going to run to the ball and play as hard as he can every single play.”
Jackson was one of three early-enrollee freshmen (defensive lineman T.K. Chimedza and linebacker/safety Charlie Thomas were the others). Jackson is behind Mitchell at one of the two inside linebacker spots. Thomas also is on the depth chart behind Jalen Johnson at the “Stinger” outside linebacker position.
Mitchell has particularly appreciated Jackson’s approach as a freshman.
“I think that he realizes that he’s a young guy and he has a lot of talent and he wants to learn,” Mitchell said. “That’s the thing. A lot of guys these days come in with a sense of entitlement that, they think, ‘Well, I was a star on my high-school team; I’m going to come in here and be the star right now.’ Well, it doesn’t work that way in a lot of cases.
“But I think he’s a guy that he’s got a level head and I think he respects the older guys on the team and I think he respects the older guys on the team and I think that, in turn, that makes me respect him more.”
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