Best college football players of all time from every state

Arkansas – Keith Jackson

One of the most difficult positions to master, but also one of the most impactful for quality players, the tight end has, at times, been a spot of wonder for the NFL. On one hand, we’ve seen players like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham dominate, and on others, tight ends serve solely as an extra blocker.

Keith Jackson breaks the mold, fitting both. One of the best tight ends in college football history, the Little Rock, Arkansas native was highly sought after from high school onwards. At Oklahoma, the strong triple-option offense that they ran out of the wishbone formation suited to Jackson’s abilities perfectly.

In four years with the Sooners, Jackson pulled in 65 receptions for a total of 1,561 yards and 15 touchdowns, with an average of 24 yards gained per catch. An impressive athlete, Jackson also ran for nearly 300 yards on 21 attempts, a staggering figure. A true multi-threat athlete, Jackson was a 2x consensus All-American.

Jackson would go on to be selected with the thirteenth pick in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft, before a 6x Pro Bowl career in which he also helped win a Super Bowl. He has since returned to his home state of Arkansas as a color commentator.