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30 Day Countdown Day 15: Defensive Breakout Candidates

Breakout players don’t typically come off a season where they made one of the greatest plays in program history. That doesn’t apply to Elijah Jackson, who had his fair share of obstacles last season before sealing Washington’s ticket to the National Championship Game with a swat against Texas. There’s no need to sugarcoat it. Jackson had no shortage of growing pains last season. Yet he’s my choice, due to that very fire that forged him.

Juggling high expectations, a rich history at the position and the Pac-12’s bevy of potent passers, Jackson finished just 419-of-776 in Pro Football Focus’ coverage grade for cornerbacks in 2023.