Dan Jackson targeting call: Why was the Georgia DB disqualified?

Dan Jackson and the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs are trying to hold onto their lead on the road against the top-ranked Texas Longhorns on Saturday. But Georgia will be playing without defensive back Jackson due to a targeting call.

Jackson appeared to have lowered his head and hit the side of the helmet and shoulder of wide receiver Matthew Golden. The flag was thrown for the helmet hit, and the targeting call was reviewed to ensure that it was correctly called.

The referees deemed that Jackson indeed commited the illegal hit, meaning that he would be ejected from the remainder of the game as well as miss the first half of the Week 9 home game with the Florida Gators.

The definition of targeting by the NCAA is a hit that "goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball." Dan Jackson's tackle of Matthew Golden fits the NCAA's definition, as he made contact with the head/neck area of a defenseless receiver with his helmet.

It's a tough call to make in a game so physical like the aforementioned one, but by the letter of the law, it was the correct one to make.

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What has Dan Jackson done this season for the Georgia Bulldogs?

Senior defensive back Dan Jackson has been one of the best secondary players in the country, showcasing his skills.

Entering the game against the Texas Longhorns, he recorded 31 total tackles (25 solo, six assisted) with a fumble recovery, one interception and two pass deflections. He may be overlooked, as he's the opposite safety of Malaki Starks, but Jackson has shown the ability to step up and play well.

He's likely going to be entering the 2025 NFL draft and get selected, as he can tackle well and is an adequate player in coverage. It's going to be interesting to see how the Georgia Bulldogs defense looks without Dan Jackson in the remainder of this Week 8 showdown against the Texas Longhorns as well as in the first half of the game next week against the Florida Gators.