Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders OL coach Tice calls Gabe Jackson a rising star

Published Jul. 2, 2015 3:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Mike Tice was astounded at the big guard from Mississippi State when he coached him at the Senior Bowl two years ago.

Now, Gabe Jackson is Tice's pupil on the Raiders. And Tice can't believe how far he's come in just one offseason.

“I think a guy that’s had the best offseason of everybody, and that’s Gabe Jackson," Tice told the team's official website. I think he’s a rising star."

The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder started only 12 games for Oakland last year. Tice sounds like Jackson is in line for more much more work in his third year.

Tice is excited about the mix of youth and veteran leadership on his line. Jackson is a big reason why; this offseason has served to confirm what he saw in Mobile, Ala. when he scouted Jackson in 2013.

"Gabe is a big, athletic, strong -- great football background," a giddy Tice said. "His dad was a high school football coach. I think he has a chance to be a really good one.”

(h/t Oakland Raiders)