UCF defensive back Antione Jackson plans to enter Transfer Portal

UCF Knights defensive back Antione Jackson plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Antione Jackson was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, after playing his high school football at Dillard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was the 28th-ranked cornerback in that recruiting cycle and the 240th-ranked recruit overall that cycle. He had to reclassify from the Class of 2024 to the Class of 2023 coming out of high school.

Prior to his time at UCF, Antione Jackson began his college career with the ECU Pirates. He would play in the final 10 games of his freshman season with the Pirates, starting in three games.

In seven games with UCF, Jackson made 13 tackles, a tackle for a loss, had an interception, and had three pass breakups. He also had an interception and a pair of pass breakups in his freshman season with ECU, bringing those totals to two interceptions and five PBUs for his college career.

At one point in his high school recruitment, Antione Jackson had been a Miami Hurricanes commit. However, he eventually flipped to ECU.

As a team, UCF struggled at times on defense. The Knights finished the season 67th in the country in passing defense, giving up 218.7 yards per game. Their scoring defense was worse, giving up 26.9 points per game, which was 82nd in the country.

The UCF Knights are going through a transition as a program. After going 4-8, and suffering a second straight losing season in Orlando, head coach Gus Malzahn made the decision to step away from the program. He left to become the offensive coordinator and play caller at Florida State. Now, the Knights are on the hunt for their next head coach, meaning the remaining players on UCF’s roster are going to also need to make important decisions about their futures.

The Transfer Portal is already open for UCF players, due to the coaching change. That offers players a 30-day window. There will also be another window in the Spring to enter the portal.

Antione Jackson will have two seasons of eligibility.