Dane Jackson

Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics

Position:
DB
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Height:
6-0
Weight:
185
Hometown:
Coraopolis, PA
High School:
Cornell (Quaker Valley)

2019: Started all 13 games at cornerback…selected All-ACC (second team)…paced Pitt with 12 pass breakups…also compiled 43 tackles, three TFLs, a sack assist and an interception…matched his career high with six stops against UCF…had five tackles, a season-high three PBUs and an interception (returned 21 yards) at Duke…also had three PBUs at Syracuse…three-time Pro Football Focus ACC Team of the Week honoree (Ohio, UCF and Duke)…voted one of three Pitt team captains…selected to play in the prestigious Senior Bowl all-star game.

2018: Played in and started the season’s final 13 games at cornerback…received Honorable Mention All-ACC recognition…led Pitt in pass breakups (14) and forced fumbles (four)…finished second on the team with two fumble recoveries…additionally compiled 47 tackles and four TFLs…ranked second in the ACC and 16^th nationally (tied) in forced fumbles per game (0.31)…ranked third in the ACC (tied) and 24^th nationally in total fumbles recovered…had a career-high six tackles against UCF and Virginia Tech…made a critical play in Pitt’s 44-37 overtime victory over Syracuse when he returned a fumble (forced by Quintin Wirginis) for a 35-yard touchdown…had a strip-and-recovery at Virginia to halt a drive at the Pitt 31…had a career-high four pass breakups at Wake Forest.

2017: Started all 12 games at cornerback, compiling 40 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, nine pass breakups and two interceptions…tied for the team lead in interceptions (with fellow corner Avonte Maddox) and finished second in PBUs…had a season-high five tackles in four separate games (Penn State, Oklahoma State, Rice and Virginia)…intercepted Trace McSorley at the goal line to end the first half at Penn State…also had an interception against Rice, halting a drive that reached Pitt territory, and returned it 24 yards…had a 13-yard sack at Duke, the first of his career…twice had a season-high two PBUs (Youngstown State and Oklahoma State).

2016: Played in 12 games, starting three contests at cornerback...totaled 18 tackles, four PBUs and an interception on the year...starting assignments came against Miami, Duke and Syracuse...twice had a season-high four tackles (Georgia Tech and Syracuse)...against the Orange, had a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown and added a season-high two PBUs.

2015: Redshirted as a true freshman.

HIGH SCHOOL: One of the WPIAL’s top dual-threat quarterbacks, Jackson was limited to four games as a senior due to a preseason knee injury…sustained the injury in training camp but, following his rehabilitation, was able to play in Quaker Valley’s final four contests at quarterback and defensive back…in an abbreviated season, completed 31-of-62 passes for 539 yards and seven touchdowns, and rushed for 286 yards and five TDs on 48 carries (5.9 avg.)…had two interceptions and a fumble recovery on defense…compiled more than 2,000 yards in total offense as a junior (1,111 rushing and 975 passing) and was responsible for 23 touchdowns (10 rushing and 13 passing) in leading Quaker Valley to an 8-3 record and the 2013 WPIAL Class AA playoffs…junior year honors include Pittsburgh Tribune-Review “Terrific 25” and All-Century Conference as an all-purpose player and defensive back…rated the No. 33 overall prospect in Pennsylvania by Scout and No. 40 by ESPN….played under Coach John Tortorea…played football for Quaker Valley through a cooperative agreement but graduated from Cornell High School (Cornell did not field a football program)…Jackson also starred in basketball at Cornell, averaging 28 points per game in earning Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State Class A honors as a senior…scored a Cornell single-game record 51 points in a 92-63 win against Rochester.

PERSONAL: Dane Tyrez Jackson, born 11/29/96, is the son of Joy Faulkner…has two sisters and one brother…earned his bachelor’s degree in communication.