What Role Will Giles Jackson Play in 2023?
Giles Jackson hasn't received much attention throughout Washington's fall camp after Kalen DeBoer repeatedly had high praise for the former Michigan transfer during spring practice. The emergence of Denzel Boston has taken a lot of attention from the veteran Husky receivers. However, Jackson still has found a way to carve out a consistent role for himself in the offense.
Running with the second team, Jackson has become a reliable target for freshman quarterback Austin Mack, who along with Dylan Morris have filled in for the sore-armed Michael Penix Jr. The 17-year-old Mack needs a consistent security blanket as he learns the playbook and develops in the offense and Jackson has been that reliable target for him.
But the question remains, what kind of role will Jackson have in 2023? Among the emergence of Boston, the return of Germie Bernard from Michigan State and the starters ahead of them, not to mention a talented group of running backs and tight ends, touches for Jackson are going to be harder to come by.
Yet offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb did a great job in utilizing Jackson all over the formation in 2022, including lining him up at running back. He's taken snaps in the backfield again during fall camp, but his role as a "wide back" shouldn't be too large when considering all the talent the coaching staff has accrued at the actual running-back position.
Excluding kick returns, Jackson recorded 37 touches in 2022 and that should be the expectation for his role once again this season. If he can continue to prove that he's a reliable target who can make tough catches on third downs, Grubb should be able to find a bigger role in the offense.
Playing time is hard to come by at wide receiver for the Huskies. In fact, wide-receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard called it the most talented room that he's ever been around earlier in the week. In what could be a banner year for the Huskies, they're going to need everyone to step up and Jackson likely will end up playing a part.
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