While the Vegas line has the Gophers favored by 24 points, Minnesota better not overlook the 6’7” sophomore quarterback the University of Buffalo will run onto the field tonight.
Tyree Jackson is his name and ex-Gophers quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski, now Jackson’s QB coach in Buffalo, says he’s the most talented quarterback he’s ever worked with.
“The closest one I had was MarQueis Gray my first year in Minnesota,” said Zebrowski, via The Buffalo News. “MarQueis was an athlete who was playing quarterback. Ty is a quarterback who happens to be an athlete. That’s what’s awesome.”
After starting at quarterback for the Gophers, Gray switched to tight end and is now in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.
As for Jackson, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck should be well aware of him considering he offered him a scholarship when he was coaching at Western Michigan.
https://twitter.com/mjessenhoward/status/903038529705578499
Fleck’s Western Michigan Broncos beat Buffalo 38-0 last season in a game that Jackson missed because of a leg injury.
Physically, Jackson is an NFL scout’s dream.
- Height: 6’7”
- Weight: 245
- Hands: 10 3/4”
- 40 time: 4.57
Jackson’s hands are same size as Brett Favre’s and he ran the 40-yard dash just .01 seconds slower than Cam Newton did before being drafted by Carolina in 2011.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4kMk5zxT2g
Jackson will be a challenge but the rest of Buffalo’s offense and defense needs work. They finished 124th (out of 126 total) in the country in scoring last season and their rushing defense allowed a mind-boggling 253 yards per game.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and can be seen on Big Ten Network.
