NFL scouts take notice of Jackson

The numbers would send every statistician into head-scratching mode.
If one running back was averaging 6.2 yards per carry since a certain season-changing moment, why would another tailback averaging 2.2 yards per attempt stay in the rotation.
That is a question numerous Virginia fans have been asking since Mikell Simpson was injured in the second half of the Cavaliers’ 47-7 win over Indiana.
The star since that moment, senior fullback Rashawn Jackson, has torched opposing defenses in four of the past five Virginia games.
In fact, since Simpson was carted of the field with a neck injury, Jackson has rushed 50 times for 311 yards and two touchdowns.
Yet despite the obvious success of Jackson, Virginia’s coaching staff continues to start Simpson, who has gained 39 yards on the ground in his past 18 carries.
Virginia coach Al Groh has stated that game situations have limited the ability of Jackson to get an increased workload.
“He’s been very effective when he’s had the ball,” Groh said. “We would like to see [20 or 30 carries] be the case.”
Regardless, Jackson has showcased his talents for the next level and could be selected in the 2010 NFL Draft.
“Well, there are not that many big backs available. When there is one, all those people want to look at him,” Groh said. “The NFL, there are a lot of teams that still use a fullback, okay? Maybe not as their primary way of playing, but they still run some two-back stuff. “So they’re all looking for a player of that size who they can slide into that. There’s so many guys, almost all the guys in college football who carry the ball, aren’t even candidates. That would make [Jackson] a candidate for whatever they want to make him, a tailback, a fullback, whatever the case may be.”
Groh said he has also noticed the attention that Jackson has received from scouts.
“They’re here on a daily basis to watch our video, watch our practice and whatnot,” he said. “All the teams are through asking about all the players. They’re very well aware of him.”
Groh was even told that Mel Kiper, Jr., a draft analyst and player evaluator, had Jackson as the top fullback for the upcoming draft.
“Take that to the bank,” Groh chuckled.
Back in the saddle
After a 75-yard passing performance last week at Miami, it was clear that Virginia’s chances to win another game this season could hinge on the availability of starter Jameel Sewell at quarterback.
Sewell, a senior, missed the Miami loss as he nursed several injuries.
Today’s practice will likely tell the coaching staff if Sewell is expected to play this weekend.
“We purposely held him out [Sunday] night, told him that wasn’t that much to be accomplished, and another 48 hours of healing from [Sunday] night till [today] would be advantageous.
“So we took that path, consulted with medical people on it. They saw it as being a prudent, hopefully productive path.”
A dire situation
It should come as no surprise that Virginia’s punting numbers have not been pretty of late.
The Cavaliers dropped to eighth place in the ACC in that category after a woeful performance at Miami, one that included a 12-yard punt that led to an easy touchdown.
What does Groh think the state of the Virginia punting game is?
“Influx,” he said.
A change is on the horizon — sophomore Jimmy Howell will start on Saturday at home against Boston College.
Howell, once in the doghouse, ranks fifth in the ACC, averaging 40.4 yards per attempt.
After further review
Paperwork from the University of Virginia was submitted to gain clarification on a facemask call that was made in Saturday’s 35-point loss at Miami.
Already called for a personal foul, which would have offset, Virginia outside linebacker Cam Johnson landed an additional penalty after the game’s referee elected to check the spot of the football through instant replay.
Doug Rhoads, the ACC’s coordinator of football officials, told a Virginia employee that instant replay was not used to determine the penalty on Johnson but yet only to spot the football.
The flag for Johnson removing quarterback Jacory Harris’ helmet was called on the field, Rhoads said, but referee Tom McCreesh “inadvertently” failed to throw a second flag or his hat to the ground and also failed to announce the penalty.
Groh did not seem amused by the explanation.
“Well, there are two sides to every story,” he said. “There’s a clarification that’s been floated out there, we’ve also asked for our own clarification.
“I’m sure it will be the same. Frankly in this case we would probably be somewhat reluctant to agree or accept the clarification.”