2024 QB KJ Jackson discusses Penn State interest

Montgomery (Ala.) St James School three-star quarterback KJ Jackson took his first visit up to Penn State last month and really enjoyed the visit.

So much so that he will be back this week to throw in front of the coaches.

“Just the way they treated me and my family out there,” Jackson told On3 about what impressed him about the visit. “Coach (Danny) O’Brien, coach (Mike) Yurcich, coach (James) Franklin, they were all cool. I got to sit down and talk to all of them and they really liked me and then they want to see throw in person. I feel like that’s a trip worth making to go throw in front of them.”‘

The coaching staff has made a really strong impression on Jackson. They were the first school to offer Jackson a scholarship.

Meeting them in person has only furthered the relationship between the two sides.

“Just how down to earth the coaches were,” Jackson said. “They were real cool. They talked about real stuff and I really enjoyed that.”

State College, Penn., is a very different environment than Alabama but there have been many Yellowhammer State natives to play for the Nittany Lions up north.

Current wide receiver Harrison Wallace and 2023 four-star safety commit DaKaari Nelson are players with Alabama roots Jackson knows and opinions he respects. They have had great things to tell Jackson.

“They all love it up there and I can see why,” Jackson said. “The atmosphere is great. Stadium’s big. It’s everything you would hope for in a school. It’s just about getting out there and really building the relationship as everything goes on.”