Report: Alabama transfer LB Ian Jackson expected to transfer to UTSA

Alabama transfer linebacker Ian Jackson has found his new home on the college football landscape. According to Matt Zenitz, Jackson is expected to land with the UTSA Road Runners. Coming out of high school, he was a member of the 2021 recruiting cycle.

In the 2021 class, he was rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 250 overall player in America, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Jackson also officially announced his commitment on Thursday evening on his own Twitter page.

LETS RUN IT SAN ANTONIO‼️💯 #Committed #UTSA pic.twitter.com/EGBj0Ghyhr

— Ian Jackson (@IJackson_3) January 19, 2024

When he recently entered the portal, Jackson posted a message of thanks to the University of Alabama. “I am very thankful for the opportunity Coach Saban has given me these past three years at the University of Alabama. I also want to thank the players and coaches who have helped me develop into a great athlete. With that being said, I have entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility. Thank you–Ian Jackson.”

He played in four games with the Tide the last two years, after redshirting in 2021. Jackson is just one of the several Crimson Tide players that have hit the portal this offseason. Once he signed with Alabama out of high school, he chose them over offers from Auburn, Miami, and Tennessee.

Alabama has dealt with several departures in the portal

Life has not been the same for Alabama since Jan. 1. New Year’s Day in Pasadena resulted in a Rose Bowl loss to Michigan, ending the 2023 season in heartbreaking fashion. Flash forward nine days and Nick Saban announced his retirement, sending shockwaves not just through the program but the entirety of college football.

Greg Byrne was able to go out and hire Washington‘s Kalen DeBoer, who is fresh off a national championship appearance. Even so, multiple Alabama players have entered the NCAA transfer portal, and a few names have hurt.

Others are sticking around and giving DeBoer a chance, with Tyler Booker being one of them. He believes Alabama was so close to accomplishing its goal, with DeBoer being right there with them. Booker wants his teammates to see what the new head coach has to offer before jumping ship.

“We were right there,” Booker said. “We were seven points away from winning the national championship. We just got to keep everybody together and at least give it until the spring. We got to give [DeBoer] a chance to prove himself and give him a chance to gain your trust and for you to trust him as well and him to trust you.

“Just give him till the spring and realize we’re 7 points away from where we wanted to be. I mean he got there so he’s a proven winner.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this article.