Jackson Named Sun Belt’s Defensive Player of Week

BOONE, N.C. — For the second straight year, App State linebacker D’Marco Jackson has earned the Sun Belt Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week award following a standout performance in a win against Georgia State.

The versatile senior and Sun Belt tackles leader finished a 45-16 victory against the Panthers with nine tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry — all in the first three quarters. App State’s first-team defense didn’t allow a touchdown, with the Mountaineers building a 45-9 lead in their conference opener.

On seven of Jackson’s nine tackles, the play ended with Georgia State gaining 2 yards or less.

Jackson is third nationally with both 10.8 tackles per game (54 total) and 2.0 tackles for loss per game (10.0 total). He’s also in the top 25 nationally with 4.0 sacks to go along with five QB hurries, two breakups and the one interception for a 3-1 team.

In the last two years against Georgia State, Jackson totaled 18 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two QB hurries. Six of his nine stops in 2020 ended plays that resulted in a loss or no gain.

App State teammate Shaun Jolly received recognition from PFF College, which put the cornerback on its National Team of the Week after he intercepted an early pass and had lockdown coverage against the Panthers.