Former Georgia Bulldogs safety Dan Jackson has been named as a rookie that “could surprise in 2025” with the Detroit Lions. The Lions drafted Jackson in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Despite investing a low level of draft capital in Jackson, Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire thinks that Jackson could make an impact for Detroit, who had the NFC’s best record in 2024. Risdon highlights Jackson’s potential on special teams as a big reason why he could make an early impact. Jackson also has an opportunity to make the Lions based on who they currently have on their roster.

“One of the very few available roster spots in Detroit entering the offseason was at safety depth, where the Lions needed a replacement for Ifeatu Melifonwu,” said Risdon. “Jackson is the type of heady, hard-hitting strong safety who can fill the No. 4 safety spot.”

Jackson is no stranger to being overlooked. He was an unheralded recruit and walked on at Georgia. The NFL combine snubbed Jackson, who is one of three former Georgia Bulldogs the Lions ended up drafting.

Jackson is willing to do whatever it takes to get on the field.

“His true contribution as a rookie figures to come on special teams,” added Risdon. “Every year, the Lions draft someone specifically for special teams coordinator Dave Fipp. Jackson appears to be this year’s edition, following Sione Vaki and Antoine Green in 2023.”

Jackson has long been a fan-favorite for the Georgia Bulldogs and figures to have a large role for the Lions during the 2025 NFL preseason as he battles for a roster spot.

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Why one Georgia NFL rookie ‘could surprise’ in 2025