NFL DRAFT: Lamar Jackson grateful for opportunity to be selected

The former Husker's up-and-down career has led him to be the top Nebraska prospect heading into this weekend's NFL Draft. He's being graded as a 6th-round pick by multiple experts. 

Lamar Jackson’s long journey is almost certainly going to end up in the NFL.

The former Husker’s up-and-down career has led him to be the top Nebraska prospect heading into this weekend’s NFL Draft. He’s being graded as a 6th-round pick by multiple experts.

“Really, I ain’t going to lie the last couple months have been a grind,” Jackson said following his Pro Day in Lincoln in March. “I mean from the eight weeks of training, it’s been a lot. I’m saying, it’s nothing easy, it’s nothing you can take for granted. You kind of always have to tell yourself, it’s a blessing. You’re living out a dream.

“Even at the combine, you’re kind of like, yeah I can’t wait to be at the combine. The combine is stressful. That’s just a long week of strenuous things. Doctors, medicals, weight, it’s a whole lot of just other variables before you hit the field. At the end of the day, you’ve just got to remember, I’m blessed. I’m grateful to be here.

“Just keeping going, just keeping positive. For the most part, I’m just saying, it’s been a process. It’s definitely been a process. I’m happy I could knock one more step out the way. I’m just ready to do whatever I’ve got to do between here and the draft, and see where I end up.”

A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Jackson started every game in his final season at Nebraska and filled up the stat sheet with career highs of 40 tackles, four TFLs, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups.

The NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. with the first round. The second and third rounds will begin Friday at 6:00 p.m., while the fourth through the seventh rounds will be selected starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Full coverage can be watched on Channel 8 throughout the weekend.