Gators commit Ja'Keem Jackson among the biggest risers in updated On300 rankings
For Ja’Keem Jackson, a four-star cornerback from Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola, he has done nothing but trend up for much of 2022.
Even well prior to his July commitment to Florida, Jackson was included in the On300 rankings, with the network ranking him the highest among the four major recruiting services. He has intriguing length with a wing-span over 6-foot-5 and also ran a 10.9 100M in the spring.
While he is less experienced at the position than many after switching from receiver as a junior, Jackson is progressing rapidly and known as a ball hawk in the secondary. His ceiling at the position is very high.
This afternoon, Jackson’s national stock received yet another boost, as On3 moved him up 21 spots and now ranks him as the No. 91 prospect overall. He is one of five Gators commits currently in the top 100, joining Eugene Wilson III, Kamran James, Aidan Mizell and Roderick Kearney.
On3 National Recruiting Analyst, Sam Spiegelman, details why Jackson continues to trend up nationally.
“The Florida commit has been a do-it-all defender on the back end of the Osceola defense as a senior. The versatile defensive back has been sharp playing multiple positions and covering at a high level with multiple pass breakups as a senior.
“He’s been adept at taking away the deep ball and also making open-field tackles. Jackson has been sharp in coverage on the outside and over the middle of the field, as the Gators commit moved up 18 spots inside the top 100.”
Prior to committing to UF, Jackson also considered Alabama, Tennessee, Penn State, Auburn and Kentucky. Plenty of additional programs offered as well, including Georgia and Miami.
The Sunshine State native is one of six defensive backs in UF’s class, joining fellow four-star prospects Dijon Johnson, Bryce Thornton, Jordan Castell, Sharif Denson and Aaron Gates.
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CLICK HERE for the full Recruiting Industry Comparison for Jackson.
Why the Gators received the nod for Jackson
“It all came down to relationships, trust, development and coaching history,” Jackson told Gators Online earlier this year. “When I went up there to camp, coach Raymond was telling me good stuff, like, good technique, good drills, and even gave me drills to go back and work on. You don’t really get that from a lot of coaches. He broke down my film, everything. I also spent a lot of time with coach Napier.
“I feel like it has everything I need. It’s great. They have academics, the weight room, facilities and resources. I feel like they have everything and I will fit perfectly.”
Corey Raymond is not the only Gators staff member who played a pivotal role in Jackson’s decision, as this was also a major victory for co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, Patrick Toney.
“We just caught a vibe. He’s a good coach,” Jackson said. “When I went there, he showed mad love and broke down my film. He was telling me the good stuff I do as it relates to the team, so that was good.”
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
