One of the Trojans' top playmakers since arriving on campus, Jackson would go on to start 51 of 52 games during his collegiate career, coming off the bench vs. Brigham Young in the third contest of the 2004 season. The defensive end made a nice living terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, as he registered 30 ½ sacks with 52 tackles behind the line of scrimmage during his time at Southern California.

Jackson contemplated leaving school early and applying for the 2007 NFL Draft, but former teammate, receiver Steve Smith (New York Giants), convinced him to return for his senior campaign. Smith went through the same thoughts after his junior year, but by returning to school he elevated his draft stock and was selected with the 51st pick in the second round of the 2007 draft. "Coming back helped me a lot. I lucked out," Smith said. "I talked to Lawrence, and he said, `If you're unsure, you should come back.' That's how I was a year ago."

Former teammates have marveled at his progress over the years, as several of them took him under their wing earlier in his career. Asked what he learned from some of his former teammates, like All-American defensive linemen Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson, Jackson replied, "They all taught me the attitude that I need to attack everything and have a sense of urgency at all times."

At Inglewood High School, Jackson earned 2002 Super Prep, Prep Star, Student Sports, Tom Lemming, CNNSI.com and The Insiders.com All-American first-team honors. He was a member of the Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, The Sporting News Hot 100, Tom Lemming Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West and Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first-team squads.

The Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Orange County Register Fab 15, Cal-Hi Sports All-State, All-CIF Division III, Los Angeles Times All-Star, Los Angeles Times All-South Bay/ Westside Lineman MVP and South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay first-team pick also received All-Bay League MVP honors as a senior. He recorded 142 tackles, with 11 sacks, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 2002 while playing on the defensive line and at middle linebacker.

As a junior in 2001, he made the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass, All-CIF Division X and Los Angeles Times All-Star squads. The Los Angeles Times All-South Bay Lineman of the Year also picked up South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay first team and All-Ocean League Defensive MVP accolades. He registered 134 tackles, including 22 sacks, plus two interceptions (one returned for a TD), seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks in 2001, leading the team to the 2001 CIF Division X semifinals. During Jackson's sophomore season, Inglewood advanced to the CIF Division X finals. In his career, he had 57 sacks. He also was on Inglewood's track team.

Jackson enrolled at Southern California in 2003, but spent the season on the service team, earning that squad's Defensive Player of the Year Award. He underwent surgery on his right ankle after that season to have debris removed. He went on to earn a spot in the starting lineup the following season, picking up Freshman All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference Freshman Team recognition. In 13 games, he made 32 tackles (19 solos) and tied for second on the team with six sacks, adding 11 stops for losses and an interception.

As a sophomore, he was an All-American third-team and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice, in addition to being selected the team's Defensive Lineman of the Year. He ranked fourth in the conference with a team-high 10 sacks and was second on the squad with 13 stops for losses. He caused four fumbles, recovered two others, blocked a kick and deflected six passes.

Jackson's left groin injury early in the 2006 season saw him undergo a bit of a slump. Head coach Pete Carroll recommended to him that he read W. Timothy Gallwey's "The Inner Game of Tennis." "At first, it seemed kind of weird to me and I just let it sit there on top of the bookshelf," the defensive end recalled. But then I started reading it and I couldn't stop. It just helped me relax and stay calm. It's about reacting and learning to relax. It's about trusting yourself and not criticizing yourself so much."

"It helped out because I was being critical and judgmental. I just gave in to those feelings. I would be disappointed in myself. It hindered me physically. After wins, I wouldn't be excited about the win, I would be disappointed with no sacks," Jackson stated. "Coach Carroll and I had a talk about how I was trying too hard and how it inhibits you from being yourself. If you tell yourself to do this or do that, it slows down your play."

He would finish the 2006 campaign with 43 tackles (26 solos), four sacks, 11 stops for losses and two blocked kicks. He also picked off a pass, deflected three others and caused a fumble that he recovered while starting all 13 contests.

As a senior, Jackson emerged, alongside defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, to give the Trojans a formidable front wall. The Trojans ranked fourth in the nation in run defense (84.15 ypg) and second in total defense (273.15 ypg). The defensive end earned second-team All-American honors, as the team captain also picked up All-Pac 10 first-team accolades, in addition to sharing the team's Defensive Player of the Year Award.

In his final season, Jackson ranked third in the league and led the team with 10.5 sacks and 17 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He totaled 60 tackles (31 solos) with a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He also deflected three passes.

In 52 games, Jackson started 51 contests. He registered 181 tackles (108 solos) with 30.5 sacks for minus-181 yards and 52 stops for losses totaling 247 yards. He recovered four fumbles and caused seven others while also blocking three kicks. He deflected 13 passes and also intercepted two others for 22 yards in returns.

Positives: Has a tall, thick frame with good arm length and adequate straight-line speed, but lacks ideal change of direction skills … Shows good foot quickness, agility and balance working in short areas … Has a good grasp of the playbook and shows valid instincts and vision to quickly locate the ball … Student of the game who will put in the extra hours watching tapes … Vocal leader type that takes well to hard coaching … Has the functional hand strength to counter vs. the offensive tackle and enough of a burst to get wide … When he keeps his hands inside the framework, he is quick to shed and gain quick advantage … Even though he can't change direction well, he is a quick reactor with enough pursuit speed to push the running game back inside … Able to shed and make plays vs. the tight end block (can be overmatched vs. double teams) … When he keeps his hands active, he gets good success in attempts to stack and control (will get stuck on blocks when he exposes himself, though) … Has adequate quickness to sidestep blocks and shows the functional speed to give chase from the backside … Best when taking on perimeter blockers in one-on-one situations, as he has enough of a hand punch to jolt and shed … Efficient wrap-up tackler with the strength to drag ballcarriers down, throwing his body around well to impede the opponent's forward progress … When he stays low in his pads, he can generate explosion behind his hits … Does a good job of coming off the edge and flattening in his quest to get to the quarterback, as he does a decent job of freeing up on twists and games, despite poor change of direction agility … Shows good rip and counter moves on the bull rush … Needs to improve his consistency here, but when he shoots his hands he can keep separation, control and get off blocks … Sometimes soft to play at the X's, but when he utilizes good hand placement he can play with leverage … Demonstrated an improved extra surge to finish the deal getting to the quarterback as a senior than he did in the past (has the pad level and strength to affect pass protection).

Negatives: Might have to fill out his frame more for a potential shift to defensive tackle, as he lacks the top speed you look for in a defender coming off the edge … More of a semi-long strider who might show adequate acceleration and initial quickness, but lacks the explosiveness coming off the line to surprise a lethargic defender … Does not change directions quickly while on the move, taking false steps as he needs to gather … Will generally play with good toughness, but lacks consistency in his play and is not always aggressive and physical attacking the ballcarrier (motor runs hot and cold) … Has the field vision to make quick reads to recognize and react, but does not show that field awareness on a consistent basis … When he keeps his hands inside the framework, he has the ability to stack and control blockers, as well as the strength to shed, but does not always give the same effort, occasionally getting turned and walled off (will leave his chest exposed when his hands get too wide) … Struggles to defeat double teams, as he is too inconsistent with his leverage and needs to develop more pass rush moves … Uses his hands to control and defeat blockers, but his lack of consistency causes him to get controlled at times, from which he is not quick to recover … Flashes good lateral quickness and will accelerate in space, but plays tall at times and does not use proper technique to defeat blockers, as he tends to leave his feet too often … Has the strength to wrap up and take down the ballcarrier, but struggles to redirect and make the play while on the move (gets frustrated when his initial move fails) … Has never missed any games due to injuries, but his surgically repaired right ankle has given him problems and further medical evaluation might be needed … Has the ability to get up field when coming off the edge, but too often he leaves himself exposed and gives poor effort, resulting in him easily succumbing when he gets pushed passed the quarterback … Can close with good quickness when he escapes from blockers, but doesn't possess the explosiveness or quickness to close on the quarterback without getting a free lane … Will line up inside at times in the 3-4 alignment, but he struggles too much trying to split tackles and lacks the "sand in his pants" to perform there at his current playing weight at the next level … Does not have the suddenness you look for in an edge rusher, as he fails to utilize quick redirection skills and appears to be a better tackler in tight quarters than on the move (poor change of direction).

Compares To: MARK ANDERSON-Chicago … Both players are known for their streaky play. Jackson is not the most explosive pass rusher you will find and might be a better fit playing inside, but he struggled in that alignment in the past as he failed to split double teams. He is inconsistent as an edge rusher, as he lacks ideal change of direction agility, but does a good job of getting inside penetration when he keeps his hands inside the framework. When he gets into a rhythm, like Anderson, he can deliver nice big plays. When he gets into a slump, the only way you can locate him is on the side of a milk carton. With his redirection problems, he is not going to be a great open-field tackler, but he can stack and control the isolated blocker, making him more of a situational type of pass rusher than an every-down player.

2003: Underwent surgery after the season to have debris removed from his right ankle.

2006: Limited in spring drills by a thigh bruise and in fall camp by a left groin pull that forced him to sit out practice for two weeks.

2007: Underwent right ankle surgery prior to spring drills.

Campus: 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash … 345-pound bench press … 32-inch vertical jump.

Attended Inglewood (Cal.) High School, playing football for head coach Kevin Moore … Earned 2002 Super Prep, Prep Star, Student Sports, Tom Lemming, CNNSI.com and The Insiders.com All-American first-team honors … Member of the Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, The Sporting News Hot 100, Tom Lemming Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West and Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first-team squads … The Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Orange County Register Fab 15, Cal-Hi Sports All-State, All-CIF Division III, Los Angeles Times All-Star, Los Angeles Times All-South Bay/ Westside Lineman MVP and South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay first-team pick also received All-Bay League MVP honors as a senior … Made 142 tackles, with 11 sacks, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 2002 while playing on the defensive line and at middle linebacker … As a junior in 2001, he made the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass, All-CIF Division X and Los Angeles Times All-Star squads … The Los Angeles Times All-South Bay Lineman of the Year also picked up South Bay Daily Breeze All-South Bay first-team and All-Ocean League Defensive MVP accolades … Registered 134 tackles, including 22 sacks, plus two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks in 2001, leading the team to the 2001 CIF Division X semifinals … During his sophomore season, Inglewood advanced to the CIF Division X finals … In his career, he had 57 sacks … Also lettered on the track team.

Sociology major … Brother, Keith, was an offensive tackle at Arizona … Born 8/30/85 … Resides in Inglewood, California.