Jackson Acker is a powerful straight-line runner who is committed to playing at the University of Wisconsin next year as a running back.

Jackson Acker only had one offer and it was a good one. According to 247sports.com, Acker’s only offer was from the University of Wisconsin. Acker goes to high school in the Madison area, where he attends Verona Area High School. With Wisconsin being his only offer, it likely means that Wisconsin was trying to get a local product and bring him into the program to develop his skills as a running back and could also be a sign that he had a connection with the Wisconsin football team in some way. It is rare to see a player have his only offer be from such a great college football team.

Jackson Acker is listed as 6-1 and 210 pounds according to 247sports.com. He is also listed as a three-star recruit according to 247sports.com. Acker’s playing style at running back is powerful and mostly in a straight line. He has enough break-away speed in high school to capitalize on big runs, but he is not very shifty. A positive side to this is that Acker is willing to take on defenders and run through tackles. This means that with more strength, Acker can have a chance to shine at the University of Wisconsin.

For more highlights of Jackson Acker, visit: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9680685/Jackson-Acker

Usually, there is not a clear NFL comparison for high school players, but there is an obvious comparison with Jackson Acker: Derrick Henry. Now before jumping to any conclusions, Acker will have to hit the weight room a lot once he gets to the University of Wisconsin to gain weight as well as developing a greater burst of speed. This development will likely not happen in his first couple of years at Wisconsin, as Acker will likely take a redshirt year his first year in college. He will have a chance to get a shared role his second year and could maybe be the starter by the time he leaves Wisconsin. All of this is speculation right now, as Acker has good strength and speed for a running back in high school, but needs development for him to have a big impact in college.

Jackson Acker was likely recruited to Wisconsin because they wanted him to be the next Ron Dayne, who was one of the best running backs of all-time at Wisconsin. I think Acker is faster than Ron Dayne was, but I can see the comparison in the strength that both running backs have. Overall, I am excited to see the development of Acker during his time at Wisconsin. Maybe he will end up as a great running back at Wisconsin and have a great career in the NFL. We will have to see over time what happens with Acker.

Sources:

247 Sports. “Jackson Acker, Verona Area , Running Back.” 247Sports, 2020, 247sports.com/player/jackson-acker-46083580/. 

Acker, Jackson. “Jackson Acker on Hudl.” Hudl, 2019, www.hudl.com/profile/9680685/Jackson-Acker. 

Galloway, Jason. “Verona High Running Back Jackson Acker Commits to Badgers’ 2021 Recruiting Class.” Wiscnews.com, WiscNews, 25 June 2019, www.wiscnews.com/sports/high-school/state-and-regional/verona-high-running-back-jackson-acker-commits-to-badgers-recruiting/article_d3730b51-72ed-5611-bca9-102eaa8ef7a0.html.