Jackson started last week against Colorado State, but he didn't receive a starter's worth of snaps, as Saban rotated five different players at the two cornerback spots in an open tryout of sorts for his struggling defensive backs. At his Monday press conference, Saban said the evaluation of the secondary was ongoing.
Behind closed doors at Alabama's week of practice, though, it became clear that Jackson had emerged as a frontrunner. Safety HaHa Clinton-Dix said Jackson's start didn't catch the rest of the secondary by surprise.
"He works hard in practice. He's physical, he's fast, he's strong, he does everything right," Clinton-Dix said. "He's been working hard since we've been in camp. I guess coach believes in him, coach gave him a chance and he went out and showed it to him."
The first highlight was a moment of redemption.
Following a 26-yard reception by Ole Miss' Donte Moncrief in which Jackson was forced to track him down from behind, Jackson leaped in the air to pluck his first career interception. The throw by wide receiver Laquon Treadwell was well short of its target, but Jackson made a bona fide play on the ball and reaped the rewards.