Four-star Osceola High (Kissimmee, Florida) cornerback [autotag]Ja’Keem Jackson[/autotag] included the Florida Gators in his top six on Wednesday and moved his commitment up to July 28, the same date as teammate and fellow UF target [autotag]Derrick Leblanc[/autotag] plans to decide.
Jackson’s recruitment had a rocket strapped to it in May when he started to pick up offers from over half the programs in the SEC among several others. He’s narrowed things down to Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee and Penn State, but is only giving himself around a month to pick among those schools.
He’s new to the defensive side of the ball after playing receiver, but his speed and length project to that of a starting cornerback in a top-25 program, according to 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins.
The Gators have hosted him twice since offering, but both trips were unofficial visits. [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] is playing a big role in this recruitment, as he often does for the team’s top defensive back targets. Jackson knows Raymond’s track record of developing NFL talent and the two are forming a relationship.
“They’re the hometown team, and my parents are big Gator fans,” Jackson said to On3. “I like Coach Raymond a lot, and I really like their entire staff.”
7/28😁🥂… pic.twitter.com/Qh5zze0rak
— Ja’Keem Jackson (@Roadrunnerjah) June 29, 2022
Landing both Leblanc and Jackson on the same day would be nice for Florida, but all Gator Nation can do is hold its collective breath for now.
Jackson is ranked No. 250 overall on the 247Sports composite and is No. 28 among cornerbacks in the class of 2023. He could continue to rise up the rankings as he plays through his senior year and gets more snaps at the position.
[mm-video type=video id=01g6tgzf8cc8a1e4gmpc playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g6tgzf8cc8a1e4gmpc/01g6tgzf8cc8a1e4gmpc-5304c6a6e08a007aa02ef779d83b9e8a.jpg]
[lawrence-related id=86578,86581,86573,86569,86534]
[listicle id=86339]
[listicle id=86266]
[listicle id=86046]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!