The growing (literally) legend of Patriots rookie cornerback J.C. Jackson

FOXBOROUGH — Since he left Maryland last year, J.C. Jackson has grown. Literally, if you believe the measurements he’s faced since he declared for the draft.

At the combine last year, the corner was measured at 5-foot-9 3/4. That’s after being listed as 6-foot-1 on the Maryland site. On the Patriots’ website, the rookie is listed at 6-foot-1.

So what’s the deal, J.C.?

“What?” he replied when I asked him about the discrepancy after practice on Wednesday.

I explained the difference, and he just shook his head.

“I don’t know. That’s really not explainable — people have always been measuring me different heights,” he said with a small smile. “I don’t really look at that. But man, one thing I know is I’m not 5-foot-9.

“They must have measured me wrong.”

Regardless of how tall he is — honestly, standing next to him, he looks a little closer to 6 feet than 5-foot-9 but every NFL source we talked to said he measured in at "5096" at the combine — the rookie corner has done well to elbow his way into a role opposite All-Pro Stephon Gilmore this season, moving into the starting lineup on Dec. 2 and not relinquishing his spot the rest of the way.

In all, he played 395 defensive snaps this season — more than any first-year player on the roster — and ended the year with three interceptions, tied for second on the team.