His college position coach thinks he’s a ‘perfect’ Raider
What will be the lasting memory of Jackson Powers-Johnson for his Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry?
“His presence every day,” Terry said without hesitation in a recent telephone interview with Silver and Black Pride. “He was exactly what you wanted in an offensive lineman. He brought the same presence every day, whether it was spring practice, the summer or the season. He was the type of player that his defensive teammates thought he was a (jerk) because they way he practiced every day. But when the season started, they all loved him because they saw what he did to other teams. That’s what you want in an offensive lineman.”
That’s one of the reasons why Terry smiled when Powers-Johnson was taken by the Las Vegas Raiders in the second round with the No. 44 overall pick. There was an expectation that Powers-Johnson would be a late first-round pick, but Terry thinks the player is where he should be.
“We were praying that he would be a first-round pick, but you know know what NFL front offices are thinking how the draft ends up,” Terry said. “But he’s really where he should be … It’s almost the perfect fit for him in terms of the violent, physical history of the position for the franchise. He’s perfect for the Raider Nation. He’s almost like an old-school Richie Incognito player … He has that mean streak and plays to wear down his opponent every play.”
Powers-Johnson was mostly a center for the Ducks, but he projects as a guard to start his career because the Raiders are sticking with newly rep-signed veteran Andre James at center. Powers-Johnson will likely compete with new free-agent addition Cody Whitehair at right guard as a rookie. Powers-Johnson had some limited experience at guard at Oregon.
Terry is confident that Powers-Johnson can have immediate success at right and he is pleased about it.
“Honestly, I think it’s better for his future to start at guard,” Terry said. “He can just go in and play and not worry about everything that goes into being a center at that level. I think he can be a great center, but he can now step and just use his power and skills and get to work.”
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