Rice expresses faith in Cal's Jackson

BERKELEY – Jerry Rice's size wasn't an issue when he entered the NFL draft out of Mississippi Valley State in 1985. Scouts wanted to know if Rice could run from defenders.

"I had football speed," said Rice, the former 49ers great who later starred with the Raiders. "And there's just something about people when they were chasing me, I was just able to run away from people. The hair would stand up on my back, and I was able to get away because I knew they wanted to hurt me."

Running away isn't a problem for Rice's protégé, former Cal standout DeSean Jackson. Butsome wonder if the 5-foot-10, 169-pound Jackson is big enough for the NFL, even though he's projected as a first-round selection in next month's draft.

Rice isn't among the doubters, likening Jackson to the Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith, a diminutive wide receiver who is a three-time All-Pro.

"So I don't think it's going be any trouble for him going out there and making catches," Rice said.

Numerous NFL scouts were at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday to watch several Cal NFL hopefuls work out for the school's Pro Day.

Rice was there to support Jackson, with whom he has developed a friendship since he began working out Jackson in Pensacola, Fla., before last month's NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Jackson and Rice are paired because Jackson signed DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment to represent him.

Jackson didn't run the 40-yard dash Tuesday, sticking with the 4.35 seconds he clocked at the combine – the fastest among all wide receivers. But he did catch several passes and perform agility drills.

And when Jackson caught a ball thrown at his feet, Rice smiled approvingly.

"He has a lot of confidence in his hands," Rice said. "Runs excellent routes and is fast – that's the thing."

Rice's input isn't limited to on-field advice. He also has emphasized how Jackson needs to carry himself off the field.

"He's the best," Jackson said of Rice. "His name just speaks for itself. So everything that comes with that, best believe I'm learning it."

Jackson said he's not concerned about his weight and has heard nothing from NFL teams on the matter. In spite of his weight, Jackson in college showed the ability to beat press coverage at the line of scrimmage.

"He's gained some weight in the last couple of months, and he's in a position where he's going to be very competitive at the next level," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said.

Rice said he's enjoying working with college players, something he did last season when he worked out Steve Smith of the New York Giants.

Rice wants Jackson to learn to harness his speed because "there's a time for your speed, but there's a time where you've got to be under control."

But the most important lesson Rice is reinforcing might have nothing to do with Jackson's 40 time. After all, he won't be the NFL's first fast receiver.

"Stay humble, work hard," Jackson said. "To be the best, you've got have dedication, hard work."

About the writer:

• Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.