In the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Eastern Michigan running back Darius Jackson was selected with the 216th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys.
Jackson is the 27th Eastern Michigan player to be drafted into the NFL, and becomes the first Eagle since 2009 to be drafted, when the Green Bay Packers took former offensive lineman T.J. Lang in the fourth round.
The Sparta, Ill. native left his mark on the Eastern Michigan football program, as he accumulated 16 touchdowns in the 2015 season; the most in school history. Jackson also rushed for 1,089-yards becoming the 13th player in EMU history to run for more than 1,000-yards in a single season. He averaged 90.7 yard per game, and 5.2-yards per carry in 2015, and was a third team All Mid-American Conference selection.
Jackson impressed many teams with his speed and overall toughness when being evaluated by scouts, as he comes in at 6-foot-1, 221lbs. and had an impressive pro-day recording a 133-inch broad jump, 4.35 40-yard dash, and a 41-inch vertical.
The pro-day wasn’t the only thing Jackson participated in this offseason, as he also attended the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, recording 5-carries for 12-yards, and 2-receptions for 13-yards.
Jackson will face some tough competition in Dallas, with Ohio State University running back, Ezekiel Elliot being the Cowboys first overall pick. The Cowboys also have Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, Rod Smith, and Lance Dunbar competing for the running back position.
