This* article is part of our 2010 Path to the Draft coverage presented by FOX Sports Houston*.
After he was picked 20th in the first round by the Texans, cornerback Kareem Jackson answered questions from the media. The following is a transcript of his interview.
Texans CB Kareem Jackson
(on being picked by the Houston Texans) "I'm very excited right now. I couldn't be part of a better family than the Houston Texans. I have a guy I played with in college, (Texans C) Antoine Caldwell, who told me it's a great organization to be with. I'm very excited and I'm ready to come in and help any way I can."
(on expectations of being picked by the Texans) "I had no clue. I'm very excited right now."
(on what he brings to the Houston Texans defensive backfield) "I'm going to be real feisty out there. I'm going to be real physical. Receivers are going to know I'm there. I'm going to do whatever it takes to make plays out there."
(on how being coached by Alabama head coach Nick Saban helps him as a pro) "It helped me out a whole lot. My three years in college with coach Saban helped me so much at that position. He taught me to pay attention to the little things. It helped me out a whole lot with us running a NFL-type defense. Being able to be in situations to make great plays helped. That's a great coaching staff there. I owe a lot of credit to them. They made me the player I am."
(on what kind of immediate impact he expects to have) "I'm going to learn their defense fast and play wherever I'm needed. I'm a quick learner. I'm going to be physical out there and you can expect that from me every play."
(on cornerbacks in the league he looks up to) "My guy is (Denver CB) Champ Bailey. He's a complete student of the game and I watch him every Sunday. I watch his technique and try to model my game after him. That's what we strive on at Alabama:
technique."
(on playing with Texans LB DeMeco Ryans, who went to Alabama) "I'm very excited. I never got a chance to play with him. He's a great player so I'm very excited to play with him."
(on what moment means to him and his family) "This is a dream come true for us, just growing up and dreaming of one day being in this position. My family has been with me since day one."
(on what he thinks about the Texans defense) "To be honest I haven't had a chance to look at them yet."
(on why Alabama coach Nick Saban didn't want him to leave early) "He just wanted me to come back and work on some individual goals such as All-American, team captain and to graduate."
(on his biggest asset as a player) "My physicality. I try to be physical. I think that's the biggest thing that I do well."
