SAN ANGELO, Texas — It's the time of the year when dreams come true for many football players across the country. The NFL Draft will begin this week and former Angelo State University linebacker Donavyn Jackson is hoping for a chance to play in the big league.
Jackson who grew up in San Angelo said his love for football developed in his hometown.
"It started way back in peewee football we played for the Raiders at the YMCA. My love for football started then and ever since then its carried over to high school at Central and here at ASU. I've just always been at home here in San Angelo," Jackson said.
Before becoming a Ram, Jackson was a standout football player in high school at San Angelo Central High School. As a Bobcat, Jackson was named first-team all-district as a junior and honorable mention all-district as a senior.
During his career at ASU, Jackson played in 46 games totaling 191 tackles, 15 passes defended, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and five interceptions.
Jeff Girsch, ASU head football coach, described Jackson as a local talent and said he has done great things for the ASU program.
"His personality just lights up the room and he's a really great football player. He went to the Lone Star Conference pro day and had unbelievable numbers, I could really tell he has been working. He's just a tremendous worker and I'm so proud of that young man," Girsch said.
At Pro Day, Jackson ran a 4.58 second time in the 40-yard-dash and had 19 bench reps lifting 225 pounds.
The NFL Draft will have seven rounds of selections over three days. The first round will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday.