CINCINNATI, June 10 (UPI) — William Jackson III is now, officially, a former Houston Cougars cornerback.
The 25-year-old signed with the Cincinnati Bengals Friday, after being selected with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Bengals now have all seven of its draft picks under contract. Jackson’s deal is for four years.
“It’s great to have all our guys officially in the fold before our minicamp next week,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told Bengals.com, “and Will is obviously at the head of that list. We see him as a guy can come in right away and make the 46-man roster on Sundays. He’s got excellent athletic skills, speed, length and a lot of great qualities to be a great player at the pro level. His ability to play the ball in the air, to play around receivers and not be cumbersome around receivers, is just excellent.”
Jackson’s 28 passes defended last season led the nation. He ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He also had five interceptions for the Cougars.
Over The Cap reports Jackson’s rookie deal to be worth about $9.7 million, with an annual salary of about $2.4 million.
Pro Football Focus praised Jackson before the draft, saying that he could be the best corner selected.
“William Jackson may be the best cornerback available in the 2016 NFL draft. With FSU star Jalen Ramsey more of a moveable chess piece on defense than he is a true cornerback, Jackson is at the top of the class and is likely to make a case for himself at the combine,” Sam Monson wrote.
“At 6-1 and around 190 pounds, Jackson fits the size and shape profile that NFL teams covet, in a draft where more than one of the other top prospects — Mackenzie Alexander (Clemson) and Vernon Hargreaves (Florida) — do not.”
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