The Bucs' biggest need heading into the NFL draft was for a game-breaking receiver.

Tampa Bay had its choice of any wideout in the draft when it selected Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib with the 20th overall pick.

The Bucs used just one of their seven picks on a receiver, nabbing Appalachian State's Dexter Jackson in the second round.

But Jackson is more of a kick returner than a receiver. In fact, he never caught more than 33 passes in any of his four seasons for the Mountaineers.

Mark Dominik, the Bucs pro scouting director, says the team believes Jackson can develop into an NFL receiver.

"Coaches have always told us if you want a kick returner, you have to draft one," Dominik said. "They don't grow on trees. We haven't done that in forever. But we think Jackson can develop into a receiver."

Jackson's feats afoot are what attracted scouts to the tiny Division I-AA school in Boone, N.C., tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But in reality, it was two plays in a 34-32 season-opening upset of No. 5 Michigan in Ann Arbor that put Jackson and the school on the national map.

On their third play, the Mountaineers lined up in a five-wideout (empty backfield) formation. Jackson took a slant pass and dashed 68 yards for a score. He added a 20-yard touchdown catch and finished with three catches for 92 yards.

The effort landed the 5-foot-9, 182-pounder on the cover of Sports Illustrated, headlined "All-time Upset."

He said he has autographed "thousands" of copies and owns about 25.

"It only happens once in a lifetime. You might as well enjoy it," he said. "I feel like it really helped kick-start this whole journey for me as a person, as an individual. My confidence went through the roof. I felt like if I can make plays in this game, why not the rest of the season?"

Jackson caught just 30 passes as a senior. But eight went for touchdowns, and the Southern Conference's 200-meter track champ gained almost 23 yards per catch.

It didn't help that the Mountaineers run a no-huddle, spread offense that takes advantage of quarterback Armanti Edwards' running.

"He got (fewer) opportunities in his offense, but I think teams knew who he was," Dominik, said. "This was a guy you had to double up and be ready to take him out of the offense."

Jackson's stock rose during workouts for the East-West Shrine Game. Then he ran 4.27 seconds for 40 yards at the NFL Scouting Combine, fastest among the receivers.

From his physical measurements, he is similar to Joey Galloway. It's not a coincidence. The Bucs have stockpiled big, physical receivers such as Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall, but they need someone who can stretch the field in case the 36-year-old Galloway goes down.

"Hopefully, Joey can take me under his wing and just teach me the ropes," Jackson, 21, said. "He has a lot of experience, so I'll be willing to listen and learn from him."

In the meantime, Jackson's biggest contribution this season likely will come on special teams, returning punts and kickoffs.

Jackson admitted he was nervous catching passes from fifth-round pick Josh Johnson during minicamp while being barked at by coach Jon Gruden.

"It's going to be a work in progress," Gruden said. "But you see the athletic ability. They're two good kids. I think they will continue to improve."

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