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Georgia lands transfer WR, return man Michael Jackson from USC

On3 imageby:Jake Rowe•01/04/24•

JakeMRowe

Michael Jackson
USC wide receiver Michael Jackson III runs for a touchdown against Cal (WeAreSC/Acscottphotography)

Georgia has added a third wideout from the transfer portal. USC pass catcher Michael Jackson III announced Thursday that he will be continuing his football career in Athens. It pushes the Bulldogs transfer portal haul to five players in total.

Jackson spent three seasons at Southern Cal, catching double-digit passes in each season but never more than 17. He reeled in 17 balls for 146 yards and one touchdown in 2023. A year ago he had 17 catches for 236 yards and five scores. The Las Vegas native, who attended the same high school as former Georgia standout Darnell Washington, has also handled punt return duties.

At 6-feet 198 pounds, Jackson was the nation’s No. 383 overall prospect in the 2021 class per the On3 Industry Ranking. He was the nation’s No. 23 athlete and the No. 3 player in Nevada.

More on the transfer portal…

The NCAA student-athlete transfer portal launched in 2018. It marked a change from when student-athletes had to get a release from one school to transfer to another and they could be limited as to where they transferred. The portal allows student-athletes to simply notify their current school and its compliance department that they intend to move on to another program. Entering the transfer portal does not mean a prospect has to transfer, it just means they can be recruited by other programs and take visits. Georgia has had players enter the portal in the past and elect to return.

Since its implementation, Georgia has added several notable prospects. That list includes Lawrence Cager (Miami), Eli Wolf (Tennessee), Derion Kendrick (Clemson), Tykee Smith (West Virginia), Rara Thomas (Mississippi State) and Dominic Lovett (Missouri). The Bulldogs have had years when they’ve been active in the portal, attempting to take as many as four prospects before the 2021 season. They have also had seasons like 2022 when they didn’t take a single player and went on to go 15-0, winning the National Championship for a second straight season.

Portal needs for Georgia in the current class include defensive line and wide receiver, where it is expected to land multiple players at each position. The Bulldogs could also be in the market at running back, outside linebacker, offensive tackle, or safety. If a player wants to transfer from SEC school to SEC school, he must do so by January 2 when the current window closes. There is another window that will open in the spring but, at that point, a player must transfer in from outside the conference in order to play right away.

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