On3 4-star DL Kendall Jackson announces top six schools

Gainesville (Fla.) F. W. Buchholz four-star defensive lineman Kendall Jackson announced his top six schools on Monday. They are Ole Miss, Kentucky, Texas, Florida, Miami and Mississippi State.

Jackson is the No. 432 overall prospect and No. 37 defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 62 player in Florida and a three-star recruit.

On3 rates Jackson higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2024 On300, he is a four-star recruit, the No. 294 overall prospect, No. 26 defensive lineman and No. 33 player in Florida.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defender has visited all of his finalists over the last five weeks. They include trips to Miami (March 4), Mississippi State (March 20), Ole Miss (March 21), Florida (March 25), Texas (April 1) and Kentucky (April 8).

Jackson breaks down some of his finalists

Jackson has visited the Gators 11 times, the most of any of his finalists. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Florida has a commanding lead for his commitment at 97.0%.

Meeting the new DC (Austin Armstrong), it was kind of a new high point,” Jackson told Gators Online on March 26. “Getting to know where I fit in his scheme and where they see me at and basically getting to see the team practice with their guys and practice with a level of intensity, to see how they run their practices and stuff. So that was pretty much what I got from today.”

Per Jackson, Florida is now recruiting him to play at the EDGE position. As a result, he communicates with Mike Peterson, the Gators’ coach at that position.

“The thing I like about coach, if you mess up of course he’s gonna get into you, but he’s not like balls deep in your face,” Jackson said. “He’s gonna sit here and show you a coach report. And if he shows you a drill he wants, he’s gonna show you how it’s done and how it works.”

Meanwhile, Jackson told Zack Geoghegan of KSR that he is returning to the Wildcats for a visit in the fall. The four-star also shared that he speaks with defensive backs coach Chris Collins “frequently.”

Regarding Ole Miss, Rebels defensive line coach Randall Joyner is a key reason for Jackson’s interest in the program.

“I like him a lot,” Jackson told Zach Berry of OM Spirit on March 22. “He develops players and cares about you as a person. He broke down how he wants to develop me as a player and he cares about his players more as a person. That means a lot.”