Titans cut
Nate Jackson

The safety is among 3 UH
alumni recently released
by NFL teams

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By Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.com

Nate Jackson expected to be cut by the Tennessee Titans today, but he might get a chance to return to the team.

"There's still a chance I might go back and be a part of the practice squad," Jackson said yesterday.

The former hard-hitting Waianae and Hawaii safety said he was told by the Titans he would be released today, but is hoping another team will be interested.

But no matter what happens, he won't complain.

"I'm real happy with what I did (at training camp)," said Jackson, who joined the Titans as a free agent. "It has been a topping on the cake ... I got my shot.

"When it was time for the (preseason) games, I showed everybody I can play at the next level."

Jackson's biggest moment of the preseason was against St. Louis, and that's when he said he knew he could play in the NFL.

"Against the Rams, I had one big hit on the sidelines and I was real happy about that," Jackson said. "It was right after a pass interference call and the running back ran my way. It was facemask to facemask and I took him down.

"I might be small, they think I'm small, but that's the way it's always been for me. There has always been that one team or one person that has been able to have confidence in me and in what I do best, and that's play under pressure. Hopefully somebody (in the NFL) can see that and give me a chance."

Jackson returned to Hawaii last week due to a death in his family.

Others cut: Two other former UH players were cut from NFL rosters yesterday.

Brian Smith, a 6-foot-1, 280-pound center, was released by the Baltimore Ravens. He was trying out as a long snapper.

Manly Kanoa, a 6-4, 315-pound guard who played at Kamehameha, was let go by Atlanta.

Also, 6-2, 246-pound linebacker Joe Correia got a look from the San Francisco 49ers, but has since returned to the islands.

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National Football League