Film Analysis: Radarious Jackson Is Much More Than His Ranking

2025 wide receiver Radarious Jackson (Memphis, Tenn.) is high on the Tennessee Volunteers. We went to the tape to evaluate his game.

Sheffield High School wide receiver Radarious Jackson isn't ranked on three of the four major recruiting services. Still, the talented junior draws major interest from programs with high-octane passing attacks, most notably the Tennessee Volunteers and Missouri Tigers. He totaled 1,818 all-purpose yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions during his junior season.

Jackson measures 6-3 and 180 pounds, and his high school tape is excellent. The Vols have been pursuing him here, and the in-state pull is definitely real. However, Missouri has done a good job of pitching him, and both programs seem to feel that he's much more talented than his rankings suggest. After watching the tape, I agree.

Body Control

If I told you that a receiver with Jackson's physical characteristics had breakaway vertical speed, most would logically assume he doesn't have the control and timing of a much smaller target. Most would also be wrong. Jackson routinely tight-ropes the sideline and holds his balance better than the smaller defensive backs guarding him. Work along the sideline could be treacherous, but if a wide receiver can learn to use it to their advantage, it's much easier to create downfield throws for your quarterback. Jackson brings that tight-window ability into an offense, shifting how the defense has to leverage their safety.

Hand Timing

Jackson made many big catches during his junior season, winning many downfield battles by flashing "late hands." He's got a long reach and a bigger catch radius than any defender on the field. Jackson often let the play develop and didn't flash his hands into the frame until the last possible second. He kept corners guessing when the ball would arrive, which is always advantageous as a pass catcher.

Downfield Speed

While Jackson is able to jump over the top of multiple defenders and make a highlight reel catch, he's just as capable of taking off with the football in his hands and making defenders miss in the open field. He's got long, powerful strides that sneak up on defenders - many safeties took poor angles to tackle him, and you could tell on tape they expected him to be slower than he was. Jackson slowly builds into his top speed before suddenly exploding and hitting his third gear.

2025 WR Radarious Jackson during a photo shoot at Memphis University School. (Photo by Chris Day of The Commercial Appeal)

Tennessee's 2025 Recruiting Class

• George MacIntyre, QB
• Justin Baker, RB
• Jack VanDorselaer, TE
• Dylan Lewis, CB
• Tyler Redmond, CB

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