When considering the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2017 season, there’s really not much to get excited about.
At 5-9, the Bengals’ season is over and fans are more interested in what pick the Bengals will have in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft than what the score will be in the final two games of the year.
But, one of the few bright spots this season has been second year cornerback and former first round draft pick William Jackson III who has been thrown into action this year.
Jackson missed all of his rookie year with a torn pec suffered in training camp and made his first regular season appearance in Week 1 against the Ravens when starting cornerback Adam Jones was suspended. Since then, Jackson has seen a lot more of the field, first due to injuries to other players, but then due to his spectacular play that has him looking like a future star.
Shutting down Antonio Brown was no issue for Jackson who faced him twice this year and allowed Brown to record zero catches on eight targets.
William Jackson III vs. Antonio Brown this season
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 6, 2017
⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0qJgWl7iFD
And, don’t forget, the Bengals youngster was the second-ever NFL player to get a pick six on Aaron Rodgers. In Rodgers’ 13-year career, he’s only had two pick sixes come against him and Jackson snatched up that second one.
Bengals CB William Jackson has been dominant against top opponentshttps://t.co/tyVvSLdfzv pic.twitter.com/ZjNKBD67nz
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 2, 2017
In a bitter season for the Bengals, one of the brightest spots is Jackson, a star in the making.
⬇️.
— #HTownTakeover (@UHCougarFB) December 15, 2017
From the #HTownTakeover to the @NFL, @fantastik_willo is putting in work! pic.twitter.com/VUSyFX3yxB