Tennessee trending with On300 4-star WR Radarious Jackson
Tennessee has a handful of major in-state recruiting targets on their board at the receiver position, and there likely isn’t one higher on the list than Memphis (Tenn.) Sheffield wide receiver Radarious Jackson.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in the country, but the Vols have been in on him longer than just about any other program. And that early identification looks to be paying off.
On Friday, On3’s Steve Wiltfong logged an expert prediction in favor of Tennessee to land Jackson in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). The pick was the first across the recruiting industry to go in favor of the Vols, who hosted Jackson earlier this month for a spring practice.
“It is growing big,” Jackson told Volquest.com in March of his continued relationship with Tennessee. “They are definitely making a big push to get me up there. I am making stronger bonds with the coaches every single day. They are recruiting me really hard.”
Josh Heupel, Vols staff making a strong impression on Jackson
In addition to Tennessee, Jackson is talking to Missouri, Auburn, Ole Miss and Oregon the most. The Sheffield High School product will be back on campus in late June for an official visit. Jackson plans to make a decision in late summer and he’s starting to get a feel for what he’s looking for.
“First off it’s academics because without them you can’t play, a place with good coaches and a place where I can play,” Jackson told Volquest. “I’m still taking it all in. I like the facilities at Tennessee. It’s a great place for football.”
Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope has played a pivotal role in the Vols’ momentum for Jackson.
“He is a great coach, and he has a similar backstory family-wise to me,” Jackson said of Pope. “The bond we have built is great. He really cares for me, and is recruiting me hard.”
Head coach Josh Heupel has also made a strong impression on Jackson during the recruiting process.
“I like everything about Coach Heupel,” Jackson added. “He is a cool coach and a good person. He is very likable, and I can tell he cares about me and wants me to be at Tennessee.”
Jackson is the No. 237 overall prospect and No. 30 wide receiver in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
On3 is much higher on him than other recruiting services though, tabbing his as the country’s No. 80 overall recruit and No. 12 wideout in the On300 rankings.