09-29-2020, 11:09 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-01-2020, 04:08 AM by Asked Madden.)
There hasn't been a lot of draft buzz around Boston College Linebacker Jackson Maine. However, that could change. Maine was one of the best linebackers in college football during his time at BC. Coming off a fabulous senior year performance, Maine has earned the attention of at least one team so far. We met up with Maine while he was training for this draft, even though he is only allowed on waivers. At this point, Maine said there wasn't any team, or teams, that were showing heavy interest in him, but he has been contacted.
"Beforr my college career ended I was certain I would go top 10 in the draft. Since then for some reason I have been falling and falling. That's all I know for now, that Im going to be on waivers and wont be drafted in the main draft. Teams have been poking their heads in and out, but none so far have expressed enough interest to make me think Id move off waivers and into the draft. I'm working on scheduling visits to some teams and trying to get someone to make the jump."
Clearly a few teams could use help on defense, although defensive tackle and cornerback have been considered to be their more pressing needs. A number of teams have lost a some great players to the draft, but not all of them will be called up so its hard to say. Maine could provide a long-term leadership role for any locker room. With nobody truly expressing serious interest so far, he should be considered as a dark-horse candidate for a team to grab a major steal without giving up a draft pick.
As for position itself, Maine has played in the middle with great success, and had great success in the pass rush also. It would be surprising if Maine was kept in just one spot though. If they feel compelled to land Maine, teams would get themselves a speedy linebacker who could be useful in pass rush or pass coverage.
"I think one of the questions going into the Combine was what I was going to run. How fast was I? Was I a 4.8 or 4.9 guy? I was able to go out and prove that I can run well and keep up with anyone on the field."
Maine does have some suprising speed. This is suprising for a 6'4 250 pound linebacker. At Boston College, he proved to be an elite linebacker as he led the nation in tackles the past two seasons. He recorded 191 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, three passes broken up and three interceptions. Boston College failed to qualify for a Bowl game; otherwise he would have topped 200 tackles on the season.
Maine had a dominant showing in his final collegiate game. He sealed Boston College's road win at Miami with an interception that he returned 45 yards for a touchdown. He also had an impressive pass breakup on a deep downfield attempt where he was running stride for stride with a speedster wide reciever, another prospect who blazed a fast 40 at the combine. With great instincts, intelligence, tackling form and athletic ability all on tape, it makes one wonder why there were are concerns with Maine in the first place.
"Like you said, every game I played was an example of a play that proves I can do it at a high level. I just have to stay consistent and stay in shape and keep running."
"I'm just going to do the position drills and be solid in those and go from there. I'm working out down here getting ready for my debut. Right now my debut is all thats on my mind. I'll pack up and go to whoever takes me. I have to go there and run well and be fluid, learn the playbook and mesh with my teammates, After that I guess I just have to keep improving.
Maine feels like he is ready for the DSFL and has proven to be a three-down linebacker. The DSFL has gone to a rush-happy league, though one of Maine's strengths is his pass coverage and ability to keep up with faster players.
"It is one of those things where we were a big man team in college. I've done three years in man coverage. I think it is something I've become more and more comfortable with. People have mentioned it to me, how I've done in man, so I think it is a strength. We didn't do a whole lot of [zone coverage], so that is something I will have to improve on, but something that I can definitely do and have had success doing."
The S26 DSFL Draft is not super deep at linebacker, so teams looking for talent in the middle of their defense will have to consider making a move for Maine. Being a waiver, there isnt anything to say when, or who he will be picked up by. Maines intangibles with his character and work ethic help prove that he is a safe prospect. Any team that sees him being worthy of a waiver pick up, should consider themselves lucky to get such a great value. Maine is happy to let the DSFL teams decide where he belongs and will play for anyone who takes that chance.
"It was one of those things where I don't think I can say where I belong. I've put in a lot of work. I did well in my college career. It is not so much up to me, but I can just do my best to interview well and be on top of my game. That is up to the teams and coaches. The different teams make that decision. I've put in the work and done everything I want to do. Its up in the air and I have to let them decide where I end up."
"Beforr my college career ended I was certain I would go top 10 in the draft. Since then for some reason I have been falling and falling. That's all I know for now, that Im going to be on waivers and wont be drafted in the main draft. Teams have been poking their heads in and out, but none so far have expressed enough interest to make me think Id move off waivers and into the draft. I'm working on scheduling visits to some teams and trying to get someone to make the jump."
Clearly a few teams could use help on defense, although defensive tackle and cornerback have been considered to be their more pressing needs. A number of teams have lost a some great players to the draft, but not all of them will be called up so its hard to say. Maine could provide a long-term leadership role for any locker room. With nobody truly expressing serious interest so far, he should be considered as a dark-horse candidate for a team to grab a major steal without giving up a draft pick.
As for position itself, Maine has played in the middle with great success, and had great success in the pass rush also. It would be surprising if Maine was kept in just one spot though. If they feel compelled to land Maine, teams would get themselves a speedy linebacker who could be useful in pass rush or pass coverage.
"I think one of the questions going into the Combine was what I was going to run. How fast was I? Was I a 4.8 or 4.9 guy? I was able to go out and prove that I can run well and keep up with anyone on the field."
Maine does have some suprising speed. This is suprising for a 6'4 250 pound linebacker. At Boston College, he proved to be an elite linebacker as he led the nation in tackles the past two seasons. He recorded 191 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, three passes broken up and three interceptions. Boston College failed to qualify for a Bowl game; otherwise he would have topped 200 tackles on the season.
Maine had a dominant showing in his final collegiate game. He sealed Boston College's road win at Miami with an interception that he returned 45 yards for a touchdown. He also had an impressive pass breakup on a deep downfield attempt where he was running stride for stride with a speedster wide reciever, another prospect who blazed a fast 40 at the combine. With great instincts, intelligence, tackling form and athletic ability all on tape, it makes one wonder why there were are concerns with Maine in the first place.
"Like you said, every game I played was an example of a play that proves I can do it at a high level. I just have to stay consistent and stay in shape and keep running."
"I'm just going to do the position drills and be solid in those and go from there. I'm working out down here getting ready for my debut. Right now my debut is all thats on my mind. I'll pack up and go to whoever takes me. I have to go there and run well and be fluid, learn the playbook and mesh with my teammates, After that I guess I just have to keep improving.
Maine feels like he is ready for the DSFL and has proven to be a three-down linebacker. The DSFL has gone to a rush-happy league, though one of Maine's strengths is his pass coverage and ability to keep up with faster players.
"It is one of those things where we were a big man team in college. I've done three years in man coverage. I think it is something I've become more and more comfortable with. People have mentioned it to me, how I've done in man, so I think it is a strength. We didn't do a whole lot of [zone coverage], so that is something I will have to improve on, but something that I can definitely do and have had success doing."
The S26 DSFL Draft is not super deep at linebacker, so teams looking for talent in the middle of their defense will have to consider making a move for Maine. Being a waiver, there isnt anything to say when, or who he will be picked up by. Maines intangibles with his character and work ethic help prove that he is a safe prospect. Any team that sees him being worthy of a waiver pick up, should consider themselves lucky to get such a great value. Maine is happy to let the DSFL teams decide where he belongs and will play for anyone who takes that chance.
"It was one of those things where I don't think I can say where I belong. I've put in a lot of work. I did well in my college career. It is not so much up to me, but I can just do my best to interview well and be on top of my game. That is up to the teams and coaches. The different teams make that decision. I've put in the work and done everything I want to do. Its up in the air and I have to let them decide where I end up."