Why this defensive back is turning heads during TCU football’s spring camp
TCU football could have a mythical beast on its defense next season, and his name is Gil Jackson.
The 6-foot-3 sophomore cornerback has been one of the early standouts during the Horned Frogs’ spring camp and was one of the few freshmen to appear in all 12 games last season.
Jackson’s height is enough to make him stand out — it’s rare to see a corner so tall — but it’s the way he’s retained his speed and fluidity that has coaches salivating at his potential.
“Gil’s a unicorn,” TCU cornerbacks coach Benny Boyd said last week. “A 6-3 corner that can move like that, that is physical, and the best part about Gil is how coachable he is. He’s a unicorn. You just don’t find guys like that. Now again, it’s a work in progress, we got a long way to go. But the ceiling? There really isn’t one.”
Jackson was often the first corner off the bench last season and got his most playing time in TCU’s win over USC in Alamo Bowl.
Jackson took a few lumps that game, including a couple of defensive pass interference calls and a long catch given up, but he also showed the right mentality corners need to have. He gave up a play, but got it right back with a key pass breakup in the red zone that helped keep the Horned Frogs alive for their comeback.
Confidence has never been lacking for Jackson, and matching up with the Trojans’ receivers served as internal confirmation he was ready for a bigger role.
“It wasn’t like I was starstruck or anything,” Jackson said. “I knew I could compete with them. He got me on the long shot, but I knew I had to come back and get mine. That’s my mindset. Every time I make a play, I already know I can make it.”
So far during spring camp Jackson has pushed returning starter Vernon Glover in the cornerback room, and what’s stood out the most is Jackson’s physicality.
Press man is something he thrives at, with his length giving him the ability to frustrate receivers off the line while still having the speed to close the gap if a receiver is successful in getting off the line.
His understanding of the defense is starting to catch up with his physical tools and only making him better as a player.
“There were some things I had to work on with my eyes, but once I got that down, the defense became way easier,” Jackson said. “Watching film makes the defense easier, and I like the way [defensive coordinator Andy Avalos] lets his corners go out and play. He lets them come out and press. That’s really my strong suit.
“I feel like if I can meet you at the line — I’ve got patience, length, speed — so I trust my patience. If I get you at the line, I feel like I won the rep.”
Avalos has built his defensive scheme on unleashing his players after he creates one-on-one opportunities for them. Typically that thought process pertains more to his edge rushers and linebackers, but it also includes Jackson.
Avalos caters his style to the strength of his players, and he knows how much of a game-changer it can be to have a physical corner who can lock down his side of the field. It was something TCU lacked last season.
“The good lord blessed Gil,” Avalos said. “It’s like, buddy, the man above gave you a lot. Let’s go do something with it, OK? We’re very excited about him. Who he is as a person and the leadership he shows and how he works and how diligent he is, is as vitally important as the physical attributes.
“We’re excited about the ability to have a guy, like, that’s going to be able to line up and [play] tough man-to-man defense and be able to compete with the people we’re going to have to go up against.”
Gil Jackson chooses TCU over Texas Tech
In a different scenario Jackson would still be playing in the Big 12 in Texas, but it would’ve been with TCU’s rival Texas Tech.
Coming out of Fort Bend Ridge Point in Missouri City, Texas, Jackson previously committed to the Red Raiders in June 2024. Things began to change once he landed an offer from the Horned Frogs in October.
A little over a month later, Jackson had flipped his commitment to TCU and fulfilled a dream he had since he was a child.
“I’ve been wanting to come to TCU since I was in sixth grade,” Jackson said. “Once I got that offer from them, I was committed to Texas Tech, but I was like, I had always wanted to come to TCU. It just felt like the right choice. Coach Juice [assistant cornerbacks coach Julius Brown], he recruited me, and I could tell he was transparent during the recruiting process.
“Coach Av, they’re not guys that are going to boost your head up. They’re gonna let you know you’re good, but you’re coming to him so they can coach you and compete.”
That hunger to be developed and coached up was a big reason it was hard to keep Jackson off the field last season.
Jackson logged over 120 snaps on defense last year, according to Pro Football Focus, with his role increasing each week. With the way he’s performed in camp so far, Jackson will be on the field much more this season, as he’s gotten bigger and stronger after going through the offseason workout plan.
“Gil’s been good,” coach Sonny Dykes said Friday. “Gil has been what you wanted him to be. He’s taken a big step from where he was in December to where he is today. Physically, I think he’s in a great spot. He’s gained weight, but been able to keep his speed. And he’s starting to play with a lot of confidence.”
Jackson said that confidence comes from the work he puts in behind the scenes. Most corners his size are expected to not be as agile or nimble as the smaller, more prototypical corners.
But Jackson is different with the rare combination of size, agility, speed and physicality. He was given the tools, but has also worked hard to sharpen them.
“It’s a lot of work, just a lot of nights coming up here by myself,” Jackson said. “A lot of days with my trainers back home in Houston. I’ve been working hard since a young age. The work is gonna pay off someday.”
Gil Jackson’s practice battles with Terry Shelton
Payday for all of Jackson’s hard work may already be here, as he has the inside track at being one of the top performers of spring camp.
No one knows just how far he’s grown more than his teammate Terry Shelton. The 6-4 receiver was in Jackson’s recruiting class and is another recruit the coaching staff believes can take a big leap this season.
The one-on-one matchups between the two have felt like cinema and normally draw most of the eyeballs during practice. On March 24, there was one sequence when Jackson won the first rep only for Shelton to come back with a one-handed catch for a touchdown. Those moments are essential for the development of both players and one reason Shelton enjoys facing Jackson the most.
“I would definitely say he’s been the toughest defensive back,” Shelton said. “Long arms, lots of potential. I think he’s CB1 for sure. He looks really good. It’s really rare to see a corner his size. When he gets those arms on you, you got to get them off quicker or he’s going to have you on the sidelines.
“It’s really rare, and I think he’s a really great player with potential. I love going against him every day. It’s going to make both of us better.”
Both players said their matchups are the definition of “iron sharpens iron,” with Shelton’s length and improving strength being the perfect test for Jackson’s growth. He also credited Glover and Boyd for the strides he’s been able to make during the spring.
“I obviously feel good, but I feel like it’s something that was meant to happen,” Jackson said. “With the work I put in, and my teammates pushed me to be great.”
As he continues to compete to potentially lock up a starting spot, Jackson has set some lofty goals for himself.
“I want six picks, under 100 yards [given up], 10 pass breakups, and I just want to break out and show everyone what I can do,” Jackson said.
With the way he’s performed in camp, Jackson has shown he has all the tools he needs to become a breakout star in the fall.
