Cincinnati Bengals select McKinnley Jackson in the third round, 97th overall

McKinnley Jackson joined a long list of Texas A&M defensive linemen selected in the NFL Draft on Friday.

Jackson was taken in the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals.

He is the seventh A&M defensive lineman drafted since 2019.

Previously selected in that span were DeMarvin Leal and Micheal Clemons (2022), Bobby Brown (2021), Justin Madubuike (2020), Kingsley Keke and Daylon Mack (2019).

Jackson is also the highest-selected A&M defensive lineman since Madubuike was taken in the third round in 2020.

Last season, the 6-foot-2, 325-pound Jackson posted 27 tackles, including 5.5 for lost yardage. That includes three sacks. He was also credited with three quarterback hurries and forced a fumble.

Jackson came to A&M as a four-star recruit from Lucedale, Miss. He was the No. 1-rated prospect in Mississippi, the No. 8-rated player in the nation at his position and the No. 66-rated player overall.

The Aggies won a recruiting duel with Alabama for hIm. Jackson then was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2020 for posting 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four quarterback pressures.

He emerged as a dominant force in 2022 when he posted 37 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, two sacks and three quarterback pressures despite missing all of four games and most of two others.

Jackson completes his A&M career with 91 tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, 7.5 sacks and 12 quarterback pressures.