Tyree Jackson becoming a tight end
Tyree Jackson threw for 6,999 yards and 49 touchdowns while at the University of Buffalo, proving he was a solid quarterback. He was even named the MAC conference Player of the Year in his junior season. However, after signing with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in April, 2019, he was waived as part of the team’s final roster cuts.
He ended up getting the opportunity to play professionally as a quarterback in the XFL with the DC Defenders when he was drafted in the ninth round of the 2020 XFL Draft. Unfortunately, the league folded in April 2020, with all players having their contracts cut.
He didn’t give up hope though and in January, the Philadelphia Eagles signed the 23-year-old to a reserve/futures contract as a tight end.
“Every day is a day to learn. I’ve got great guys in the (tight ends) room in Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers, veteran guys I’m learning from every day,” Jackson said, via the Eagles official website.
“Every day it’s something new to learn. When you make a switch, it’s all new, but having those guys around who have done it at a high level for a long time has helped me a lot. I’m just out there, and whatever play is called, that’s what I run. I have the privilege to play with really good quarterbacks. Those guys are really good and make the correct reads and get the ball to open players. It’s been really fun.”
Jackson still has plenty to learn when it comes to his new position, but he certainly has the physical characteristics to make it work as a tight end. He is six feet seven inches tall and weighs 245 pounds, and can be an intimidating figure to opposing defenses.
“It’s getting better day by day,” said Jackson, who opted to move to tight end in November. “It feels more and more natural.”
Jackson featured in his first preseason game as a tight end with the Eagles against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday evening. The Eagles ultimately lost the game 24-16 to their cross-state rivals, but Jackson had a decent showing. He was targeted five times and made two catches for a total of 19 yards.
“A tight end does everything – you have to pass protect, you have to run block, you run routes, you play special teams,” Jackson said. “It’s been awesome, and having guys like Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers in the room, it’s been so helpful. They’ve done it all and they’ve been open books helping me. My coach, Jason Michael, has been in the league a long time and he’s done this before. I’ve made a lot of progress. I’ve gotten better, but I also know that I have so much work to do on the nuances of the position.
“And playing against our defense every day has helped me. The preseason game was different than practice, but our defense is so talented and that has helped me a bunch every day.”
It remains to be seen if Jackson will be able to deliver as a tight end when the games really start to matter, but significant progress has already been made and his future has never looked brighter.
