NFL scouts Safety Nate Jackson and several other former Hawaii football players will work out for pro football scouts next week at UH, Jackson said.
coming to check out
Jackson, others
The former UH safety wants
to make an impression next weekBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"I'm not sure of the exact date yet, but I think they're talking about April 5," he said.
Jackson played briefly for the Hawaii baseball team this season. But he left the team because he lost six pounds after playing in three games two weeks ago.
"The baseball experience was pretty good. Coach (Mike) Trapasso is a cool coach, a player's coach," Jackson said. "Even though I only had a week and a half, it was good. It was disappointing to have to stop. But I'm trying to gain 20 pounds."
Jackson, who is 5-feet-10 and 170 pounds after a big meal, wants to bulk up so he has a better chance of making an NFL team. Keeping weight on has been an ongoing problem for him.
"It's a metabolism thing, big-time," Jackson said. "I've tried everything. I guess I'll just have to go heavy on the Creatine and protein."
Warriors coach June Jones said he thinks Jackson can make it in the NFL.
"I think he's a natural free safety, but he's also a good cover guy and a great blitzer," Jones said. "His weight is obviously a concern, but he plays big.
"I don't think he'll be drafted, but he should get a free-agent shot."
Jackson was a two-time second-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection, despite playing through injuries most his career.
Wide receiver Ashley Lelie and quarterback Nick Rolovich might also participate in next week's workout, Jackson said.
Lelie, a third-team All-American, is projected to be a first- or second-round pick in the April 20 NFL draft. But he has suffered from hamstring problems the past month.
Rolovich set several UH records and was the MVP of last month's Hula Bowl. He could be picked in the late rounds of the draft, especially because it is not deep in quarterbacks.
If the NFL doesn't work out for Jackson, he said he wouldn't mind playing in Canada. If that's not a possibility, he will go back to baseball.
"I just want to keep the doors open," he said.
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