University of Houston Athletics
Jackson Drafted 24th Overall by Cincinnati
4/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON â€" Houston cornerback William Jackson III was drafted 24th overall Thursday night by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the NFL Draft. The nation's leader in pass breakups with 23 last season, Jackson is the 13th first-round NFL Draft pick from the Houston program.
Jackson is the second Houston player in the last four years to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, joining cornerback D.J. Hayden who was selected 12th overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2013 NFL Draft.
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Jackson started 28 games in his three seasons with the Houston program, highlighted by the 2015 season when he set the Houston single-season record and led the nation with 23 pass breakups. Jackson also led the nation in passes defended with 28, finishing 20th nationally with five interceptions.
He finished his career third on the UH career pass breakups chart with 40 despite only playing three seasons and was named the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP after recording a career-high 10 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups in Houston's win over Florida State. Jackson also set the Houston single game record with seven pass breakups in the American Athletic Conference Championship game.
The 2016 NFL Draft resumes Friday at 6 p.m. CT with the second and third round with the final four rounds kicking off Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
| Year | Player, Position | Selection | Team |
| 2016 | William Jackson III, DB | 24th | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2013 | D.J. Hayden, DB | 12th | Oakland Raiders |
| 1997 | Antowain Smith, RB | 23rd | Buffalo Bills |
| 1994 | Billy Milner, OT | 25th | Miami Dolphins |
| 1992 | David Klingler, QB | 6th | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1990 | Andre Ware, QB | 7th | Detroit Lions |
| 1990 | Lamar Lathon, LB | 15th | Houston Oilers |
| 1981 | Leonard Mitchell, DE | 27th | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1979 | Willis Adams, WR | 20th | Cleveland Browns |
| 1977 | Wilson Whitley, DT | 8th | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1975 | Mack Mitchell, DE | 5th | Cleveland Browns |
| 1972 | Riley Odoms, TE | 5th | Denver Broncos |
| 1971 | Elmo Wright, WR | 16th | Kansas City Chiefs |
