IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is reputed to be one of the best schools for developing prep athletes into collegiate and even professional-level talents. It should come as no surprise then that Billy Napier’s recruiting efforts have placed a strong emphasis on prying those prospects from the grasps of other suitors.
One of the student-athletes Florida football currently covets from the in-state institution is three-star defensive lineman [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], who announced via Twitter on Monday afternoon that he plans to stop in Gainesville for an official visit the first weekend of June.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 300-pound lineman made a spring visit back in March while also earning a scholarship offer in April. He released his list of top five schools at the beginning of May, which in addition to Florida also included the Miami Hurricanes, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns.
“It’s just a feeling (Florida) gives me that lets me know I am (a priority),” Jackson told Swamp247 a few weeks ago. “It’s just the level of contact they have, from the coaches to the director of recruiting. It’s a daily thing, from Coach [Kali] James all the way up to Billy Napier hitting me up. Coach Napier and I have built a tight relationship and I definitely love how he coaches and leads his team. I could see myself playing for him one day.”
The rising high school senior also had some positive words about defensive line coach Sean Spencer, who has spearheaded the efforts to get him into the Swamp.
“Coach Chaos is one of the best coaches, especially for D-line,” Jackson added. “I love everything about Florida, the DC, their game plan, everything.”
Jackson is ranked No. 667 overall and No. 62 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 652 and 59, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives Ohio State an overwhelming lead for his signature with an 87.5% chance of landing him, followed by Florida (5.0%) and the Penn State Nittany Lions (2.2%).
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