SANTA CLARA – Defensive end Drake Jackson recorded three sacks in the 49ers’ Week 1 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That appearance was an eye-opener for Dallas Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons, who had some flattering words about Jackson on his podcast.
“That was pretty cool,” Jackson said Wednesday. “Kudos to Micah Parsons for that, man. That’s really good praise, especially from one of the most productive pass rushers in the league.”
Jackson said he really didn’t know Parsons, so the praise surprised him.
“Yeah, that’s true because (he’s) a guy from another team and just seeing them pay attention around the league, that’s really cool,” Jackson said.
On his podcast “The Edge with Micah Parsons,” the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year runner-up put Jackson in the spotlight after the 49ers’ 30-7 win at Pittsburgh.
“A guy that no one talks about. Drake Jackson,” Parsons said. “He had three sacks. Why isn’t anyone talking about Drake Jackson?”
“So don’t let those guys get thrown into the sunlight because (Jackson) surrounds guys like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, and guys like that because they have such a great team. I think he’s a person I need to watch out for.”
If the regular season opener is any indication, the entire NFL needs to pay attention to Jackson.
And it started with Jackson’s first snap of the game, when he lined up for a third-and-5 play to replace starting defensive tackle Clelin Ferrell. The second-year pro threw to Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett for a 10-yard loss.
“The first third is crazy,” Jackson said. “But we try that every time. To make it happen the first time, it prepares you for whatever comes after.”
And what came after that was two more sacks that made up Jackson’s season total while he appeared in 15 games in his rookie year.
RELATED: Bosa is incredibly jealous of Jackson’s three-sack performance
Could this be a sign of things to come for Jackson? Jackson spent his entire offseason training at the 49ers’ facility to gain weight and become stronger for the rigors of an NFL season.
“I hope it showed,” Jackson said. “I just do what I can. Hopefully there will be more of this.”
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