The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson plans on taking full advantage. Powers-Johnson recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Powers-Johnson also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, playing multiple positions, using length and athleticism to his advantage, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Powers-Johnson better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Jackson Powers-Johnson: I found out about my Senior Bowl invite in December. It was approximately one week before the Pac-12 Championship Game. I was having conversations with my future agent before I officially signed with him. I was aware that Jim Nagy was going to reserve an invitation for me in case I decided to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.
I felt super humbled and honored. This is the first year that juniors can attend the Senior Bowl. It’s cool to be a part of the first class of juniors to attend the Senior Bowl.
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Jackson Powers-Johnson: I would say the same thing. I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to be one of the first juniors in history to gain entrance into the Senior Bowl. It’s such a prestigious pre-draft event. So many elite talents play in this game every year. I wanted to be one of the first juniors to follow in those footsteps.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Jackson Powers-Johnson: I’m excited to highlight my overall brand of football. I love playing football. I grew up playing this game. I’m extremely passionate about it. I’m the type of guy that can play different positions. I’m mobile and versatile. I love football. I want to prove that I should be the first center off the board.
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Jackson Powers-Johnson: I would say that I play with a special type of tenacity. I’m extremely physical with a mean streak. I play with great leverage. I’m great in the run game and pass game. My passion for the game shines brightly on tape. I’m someone that embodies being a football player.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL center, who would you choose and why?
Jackson Powers-Johnson: I would choose Ryan Jensen. I would probably say him because we both have similar body types. We both play the game with a mean streak. We’re both very physical. I’ve admired him for a while now. I had an opportunity to meet him a few years ago. He’s a guy I look up to. I love studying his film.
JM: I love that comparison. You’ve spent most of your time at center, but you’ve played a little guard and tackle, too. I assume center is your preference?
Jackson Powers-Johnson: Yeah, I’ve played every position on the offensive line, but center is definitely my favorite. I love commanding the line of scrimmage. I love making the calls and checks as the on-field general.
I love playing center and snapping the ball. It’s one position that allows you to work with everyone. When you’re a guard or tackle, you’re basically working with the guard or tackle next to you. As the center, I get to work with both tackles and guards. It’s the ultimate team position. It’s fun to go out there and lead a unit that has to play as one.
JM: What’s the biggest difference between playing center and guard?
Jackson Powers-Johnson: Snapping the ball is an obvious one. That’s really important. Every play starts with the ball being snapped. It’s also about identifying defenses. Having a good head on your shoulders, reading defenses, and dissecting what they’re going to do allows me to help the other linemen.
At guard, it’s almost like you’re working on a separate team with the tackle next to you. You need to have great communication with that tackle and your center. You need to know how your tackle is going to set. You need to know how your center is going to set as well. It tells you how to approach that rep. Two different positions with lots of intricacies involved.
JM: We appreciate that breakdown. What’s on Jackson Powers-Johnson’s pre-game playlist?
Jackson Powers-Johnson: That’s a good question. A lot of Metallica. I’m a big Metallica guy. There’s some Ozzy Osbourne on there as well. I love classical rock music.
JM: At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Jackson Powers-Johnson?
Jackson Powers-Johnson: It means I went out to Mobile and met a bunch of great people. It means I had some great meetings with the scouts and general managers in attendance.
I’m excited for the opportunity to go out there and have fun. It’s funny to me. Everybody gets so serious about these games and this pre-draft process. Football is fun at the end of the day. We have to remember that.
I never lose sight of that. I’m going to have a lot of fun. I’m going to put my best foot forward while playing my best brand of football. Hopefully, I prove to all 32 teams that I can play on their team. I’m enthusiastic about becoming a part of an NFL program.
