Tag: Kendall Jackson

Breaking: 4-star DL Kendall Jackson commits to Texas A&M after flipping from Miami and Florida

Johnny Manziel isn’t walking through that door but Aggies coach Mike Elko has been making money moves since coming home to College Station.

Johnny Manziel isn’t walking through that door but new Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has been making money moves since coming home to College Station.

Elko’s latest move is a big one. 4-star defensive lineman recruit Kendall “Hollywood” Jackson committed to the Aggies on Tuesday afternoon.

“I want to thank my coaches, coach Wade and coach Bell, all my coaches. I appreciate y’all for these last four years. Y’all have been an integral part of my life today,” Jackson said Tuesday at a news conference held at Buchholz High School. “With that being said, I did post that I won’t be signing with Miami today. For the next three to four years, I’m taking my talents to Texas A&M.”

On July 12, the Gainsville, Fla. native initially committed to stay home and attend the University of Florida. He decommitted from the Gators on Dec. 2. One week later, he committed to the University of Miami.

Five minutes before holding a news conference to announce his decision Tuesday, Jackson announced via X that he would not be signing with the Hurricanes after all. He is 6-foot-4, 250 pounds and has 19 total offers.

Jackson’s taken four visits so far to Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky and Miami. Elko hired Sean Spencer from Florida as the new Texas A&M defensive line coach on Dec. 3. The hiring appears to be already paying major dividends with the commitment of Jackson this week.

The college football early signing period begins Wednesday and ends Friday.

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Former 4-star Florida commit, Gainesville native flips to Miami Hurricanes

The 6-foot-4-inch, 250-pound defender committed to the Gators back in July, but the circumstances are clearly different after a disappointing season.

Former Florida football commit and Gainesville local, defensive lineman [autotag]Kendall Jackson[/autotag] out of Buchholz in the 2024 recruiting cycle, announced on Saturday his commitment to the Miami Hurricanes.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 250-pound defender committed to the Gators back in July, but the circumstances are clearly different after a disappointing season in the Swamp this season. Following its third-straight losing campaign, defensive line coach Sean Spencer got the ax and three other blue-chip recruits had backed off their pledges dating back to the beginning of November as the Orange and Blue finished the season 5-7.

The good news is that Billy Napier and Co. still have other incoming linemen who can help fill the void. Five-star prospect LJ McCray out of Daytona Beach (Florida) Mainland, four-star recruit Amaris Williams out of Clinton (North Carolina) plus three-star prospect Michai Boireau out of Hampton (Georgia) Creekside are the remaining recruits following his departure.

Jackson is ranked No. 406 overall and No. 44 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 387 and 40, respectively. Prior to the flip, Miami had just a 1.6% chance of signing him, per On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine.

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Four-star DL from Gainesville backs off commitment to Florida

Florida lost another commitment from a blue-chip defender on Saturday. This time it was local defensive lineman Kendall Jackson.

The F.W. Buchholz to the University of Florida pipeline has stayed strong over the past couple of years, but the Gators are losing a commitment from a four-star defensive lineman just a day after the Bobcats’ playoff run came to an end.

[autotag]Kendall Jackson[/autotag] committed to Florida in July, but much has changed in Gainesville. The Gators just parted ways with defensive line coach Sean Spencer, and at least three other four-star recruits have backed off their pledges since Florida finished the season 5-7.

Jackson made things official on Saturday, posting the announcement to social media.

“I’d like to thank Coach Napier for the opportunity to play the game I love at the University of Florida,” Jackson said. “I’d also like to thank Coach (Mike) Peterson and Coach (Austin) Armstrong for the opportunity as well. However, after much prayer and many conversations with my family, I have decided it is in my best interest to decommit from the University of Florida.”

Florida still has three defensive linemen under commitment from the class of 2025, including five-star Mainland (Daytona Beach, Florida) lineman LJ McCray and four-star Amaris Williams out of Clinton, North Carolina. The Gators just added Michai Boireau back into the fold, helping to soften the blow of losing Jackson.

Unfortunately, the Miami Hurricanes appear to be one of the serious suitors for Jackson. Losing a four-star commit is never good, but watching him flip to Miami would be a salt-in-the-wound situation.

The Gators are clinging to a top-five class at the moment, but another big decommitment could change that.

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Local blue-chip EDGE commit will be at Grill in the Ville on Saturday

Local EDGE standout will be among the many feasting in the Swamp this Saturday.

Florida football is getting set to host the first edition of the Grill in the Ville event, which welcomes prep prospects from a range of recruiting classes into the Swamp to get a gander at what Billy Napier and the Gators have to offer.

Four-star edge defender [autotag]Kendall Jackson[/autotag] out of nearby Gainesville (Florida) Buchholz will be among the many current commits in attendance for the midsummer event on Saturday, July 29. The 6-foot-4-inch, 250-pound prospect committed to the Orange and Blue on July 12, becoming the 19th member of the recruiting class at the time.

The high school senior chose the Gators over the Arkansas Razorbacks, Kentucky Wildcats and Miami Hurricanes.

“They were really consistent,” Jackson said to Swamp247 before announcing his commitment. “That is one thing I will say they did pretty well. Another thing was the relationship I built with them. I have a great relationship to where I can talk with them about anything outside of football. They are like family to me.”

Jackson is ranked No. 478 overall and No. 48 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 393 and 33, respectively.

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Florida and Missouri among 5 schools to recruit 4-star prospects this week

Here’s a quick roundup of all the latest blue chip commitments around the country.

July continues to be a surprisingly busy month on the recruiting circuit, especially in regards to the class of 2024. So far this week, Oregon has added a pair of four-star linebackers from California, while Alabama picked up four-star cornerback Zavien Brown – catapulting into the top 15 teams in the national recruiting rankings.

Several other Power 5 programs have also managed to recruit four-star prospects from the class of 2024 over the last few days, as well. Here’s a quick roundup of all the latest college commitments from blue chip high school football players around the country.

F.W. Buccholz (Fla.) DL Kendall Jackson: Florida

Lindale (Texas) iOL Casey Poe: Alabama

Valley View (Ark.) LB Brian Huff: Missouri

Judson (Texas) S Myles Davis: Texas A&M

Cheshire Academy (Conn.) EDGE Jacob Smith: Michigan

More football stories

HS Football’s top teams in each state ahead of 2023 season

Mater Dei 5-star RB Nate Frazier names his top 8 schools

Gators earn commitment from 4-star DL Gainesville native

Four-star Buchholz defensive lineman Kendall Jackson is staying in Gainesville! The Gators earned his commitment on Wednesday over Arkansas, Kentucky and Miami.

Florida isn’t slowing down on the recruiting trail one bit. The Gators earned a commitment from four-star Buchholz (Gainesville, Florida) edge rusher [autotag]Kendall Jackson[/autotag], bringing the recruiting class of 2024 up to 19 players.

In addition to Florida, Jackson was considering Arkansas, Kentucky and Miami. He took official visits to all four programs, but the Gators have hosted him more than anyone else. He moved his decision date up a few times, which had some Gators fans worried, but he decided to “stay home” in the end.

“They were really consistent,” Jackson said to Swamp247 before announcing his commitment. “That is one thing I will say they did pretty well. Another thing was the relationship I built with them. I have a great relationship to where I can talk with them about anything outside of football. They are like family to me.”

Florida made Jackson feel wanted, which could have made the difference at the end. The Gators see him moving around the field, playing both on the edge and inside. A utility defensive lineman, if you will. Jackson says that UF runs similar schemes to what he’s used in high school, so there’s another level of comfortability there.

Jackson should be back in the Swamp for the July 29 Grill in the Ville cookout.

On3 is the only service that ranks Jackson as a four-star, but it’s enough to make him a four-star on the industry ranking, which uses a weighted average of all four major services. He’s No. 395 overall nationally and No. 33 among defensive linemen in the class of 2024.

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Florida the ‘top school’ for this local 4-star defensive lineman

Florida might be the favorite to land this four-star defensive lineman out of Buchholz High in Gainesville after a strong official visit.

F. W. Buchholz defensive lineman [autotag]Kendall Jackson[/autotag] is no stranger to the University of Florida, but the Gainesville native’s 13th trip to the Swamp proved to be the most impactful as he enjoyed the spoils of an official visit over the weekend.

Memphis transfer Cam’Ron Jackson hosted him, according to Brandon Carroll of All Gators. It was the family nature of everyone involved with the program that stuck out the most to (Kendall) Jackson. If visiting over a dozen times didn’t indicate it, Florida is the team to beat for him moving forward.

“It’s the top school. Definitely the top school,” Jackson said to All Gators. “Being able to hang out with the current UF players was one of the highlights. Just getting to see the team if you were to commit there, the teammates you’d be around and how they act.”

At 6-foot-4-inches tall and 255 pounds, Jackson still moves well, which is one of the main reasons Billy Napier and Co. are so interested in him. He should work with the outside linebackers and position coach Mike Peterson, who is one of the coaches he’s developed a strong relationship with already.

Jackson is a four-star recruit on the On3 industry ranking, which uses a weighted average of all four major services. He comes in at No. 365 overall in the class of 2024 and No. 33 among defensive linemen.

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Local OL target planning official visit with Gators

Defensive lineman Kendall Jackson plays high school ball in Gainesville, so it only makes sense for him to stop by the Swamp for an official visit.

The Florida Gators are always looking at nearby F.W. Buchholz High (Gainesville) for talent, and the latest name to catch the team’s eye is defensive lineman [autotag]Kendall Jackson[/autotag].

Swamp247 is reporting that Jackson will be in town for an official visit on June 2 and is also set to visit Kentucky a few weeks later on June 16. This won’t be Jackson’s first time on campus. Living so close to the university means that he’s lost count of how many times he’s been by for an unofficial visit.

He has gotten to know Florida’s new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong a bit better over the past few weeks, and a recent visit for the Orange and Blue Game has him impressed with the Gators’ defense.

Head coach Billy Napier is also a presence in Jackson’s recruitment. Like Armstrong, Napier checks in with Jackson every now and then, and the conversation isn’t always about football.

Jackson is down to Florida, Kentucky, Miami, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Texas. The Gators are the overwhelming favorites to land him. UF has 95.5% odds to sign Jackson, according to the On3 recruiting prediction machine, and Kentucky is second with 1.8% odds. The official visits could change things, though.

On3 gives Jackson four stars, but 247Sports and Rivals.com have him listed as a three-star, which brings down his composite scores. The On3 industry ranking has him at No. 493 overall and No. 40 among defensive linemen in the class of 2024.

The 247Sports composite is a bit more bearish on Jackson at No. 543 nationally and No. 51 among those in his position group.

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Gators recruiting local talent at new position on defense

Florida hosted Buchholz defensive lineman Kendall Jackson on Saturday and showed him where he might fit in the Gators’ scheme.

The Florida Gators often take a look at whatever the nearby high schools have to offer, and Buchholz High in Gainesville regularly produces talent that winds up playing in the Swamp. The latest Buchholz recruit Florida has shown interest in is defensive lineman [autotag]Kendall Jackson[/autotag], but the Gators might not be thinking about him as a defensive lineman much longer.

Jackson was one of many Saturday visitors hosted by Florida and he had a chance to meet with the team’s new defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. The two got along well enough, and Armstrong gave Jackson some insight as to where he might fit in Florida’s scheme, according to Swamp247.

“I found out today my new coach will be Coach (Mike) Peterson instead of Coach Spencer. I will be with edges more,” Jackson said. “I am cool with that because that is what I am being recruited at anyways. To know that I don’t have to change up or play a position I don’t want to be. I am being recruited at the position I play and know I am good at. Knowing I am still going to be able to play my position. I like that.”

Obviously excited about being recruited as an edger rusher, Jackson says its the versatility of the JACK position that intrigues him the most. Being able to drop back in coverage and rush the passer is the best of both worlds for him. Jackson is already familiar with Peterson and says he likes his coaching style.

Moving forward, the plan is for Jackson to take a few more unofficial visits to Florida Sate, Georgia Tech and Kentucky before settling on official visits in June. He hopes to commit around the middle of the season and will try and see some more games before making a decision. Florida is one of his “top schools,” and should be on the shortlist.

Jackson is a three-star recruit on both the 247Sports composite and the On3 industry ranking, but On3 individually grades him as a four-star that’s No. 294 in the class. The composite grades him far lower at No. 521 overall and No. 50 among defensive linemen.

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Four crystal balls cast in favor of Florida by 247Sports

The Gators could be adding some more commitments to its recruiting class of 2024 soon after Florida recently earned four crystal ball projections from 247Sports’ experts.

The Florida Gators were pegged as the favorites to land four different recruits from the class of 2024 on Wednesday.

Swamp247’s Blake Alderman cast four different crystal ball projections in favor of Florida. Alderman believes that Florida is in the driver’s seat for four-star safety [autotag]Jarvis Boatwright[/autotag], three-star defensive lineman [autotag]Kendall Jackson[/autotag], three-star athlete [autotag]Kevin Levy[/autotag] and unranked safety [autotag]Josiah Davis[/autotag]. Jackson previously had a crystal ball cast for him in favor of Florida by 247Sports area recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins.

Boatwright and Davis keeping interested in Florida after Patrick Toney’s departure is a good sign for the program. Cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond will coach all UF defensive backs in 2023, and he’s clearly not losing a step in the recruiting realm after taking on more on-field responsibility. Boatwright, who is the highest-ranked of the quarter at No. 401 overall on the 247Sports composite, could still end up with another of his top five programs (FSU, Tennessee, South Carolina and UCF), but Alderman thinks Florida is in the “best spot for him.”

Levy is listed as a wide receiver on 247Sports’ position rankings, but the Gators are looking at him as a cornerback, making him the third defensive back to pick up a crystal ball to Florida on Wednesday. Raymond’s been recruiting him and is a big reason Levy is considering UF, but FSU is also invested in this race.

Jackson is a local kid from F. W. Bucholz that could end up staying in Gainesville. He has family ties to the program and is a regular visitor on campus. All signs point to Florida here.

Alderman’s crystal ball projections all came in with a six out of 10 confidence rating. There is still plenty of time for the class of 2024 to figure out what they want to do, but these guys might be the closest to committing.

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