On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: New leader for 4-star QB KJ Jackson

Montgomery (Ala.) St James School four-star quarterback KJ Jackson currently holds 15 offers from programs across the country. Arkansas is one of the schools that has extended one.

The Razorbacks are now heavily trending for Jackson at 91.7%, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Arkansas’ odds rose exponentially following an expert prediction from On3’s Chad Simmons.

Jackson is the No. 363 overall prospect and No. 23 quarterback 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. 24 player in Alabama.

“I feel like I’m still a bit away, but it’ll come sooner than later,” Jackson told Simmons on Jan. 5 about his recruiting process. “I feel like next spring to early summer is when I’ll probably commit. It’s just about getting to know everybody and getting real close with some coaches and finding the right fit.”

Arkansas is still looking for its 2024 quarterback

Getting a pledge from the 6-foot-3, 215-pound signal-caller would be a big win for head coach Sam Pittman and his staff, not only because Jackson is a blue-chip prospect. It would also continue the Razorbacks’ streak of landing four-star quarterbacks, as they signed Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb four-star Malachi Singleton last cycle.

Right now, Arkansas’ 2024 recruiting class is No. 17 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 9 in the SEC. It currently contains three players: Leeds (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Kavion Henderson, Ocean Springs (Miss.) St. Martin four-star wide receiver Noreel White and Memphis (Tenn.) Memphis University School three-star defensive lineman Dion Stutts.

White was one of the more surprising commitments of the 2024 cycle, so far. The RPM had Ole Miss with a commanding lead at 91.4%, but he chose the Razorbacks after an unofficial visit on the weekend of March 11.

Meanwhile, Henderson chose the Razorbacks in November over Alabama, Georgia and Florida State among others. 

“I wanted to go somewhere and make an impact,” Henderson told Simmons on Nov. 6. “They got a lot of great players there… They came through and I want to make a difference there at the EDGE position. I just want to make an impact and (I) see myself playing here along with some great players.”

“Arkansas put a lot of effort into recruiting me,” he added. “The coaches showed me they wanted me. They want me and I want to make an impact for them.”