4-star DL Kendall Jackson high on Kentucky, Florida; decision coming in July

Four-star defensive lineman Kendall Jackson was one of several ranked class of 2024 prospects who made the trip to Lexington over the weekend for an official visit to Kentucky. Although he’s been on the Wildcats’ campus before, the Gainesville (FL) F. W. Buchholz product went back home with a new outlook on how he views the program.

“It changed my perspective a lot. I seriously mean that wholeheartedly,” Jackson told KSR on Monday. “The whole visit (changed my perspective). The first time I went there I got to see practice and the coaching staff. I like the coaching staff but the overall school, getting to see the overall school changed my perspective a lot.

Jackson, who checks in at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, arrived at UK on Friday and left on Sunday. While on campus, he spent plenty of time with Kentucky staffers such as head coach Mark Stoops, defensive coordinator Brad White, and defensive backs coach Chris Collins, but most of his visit was spent with defensive line coach Anwar Stewart.

“Really just telling us how he thinks of his job as more than being a coach,” Jackson said of his conversations with Stewart. “We weren’t talking about football for the most part, we were just talking about things outside of it. Life, why he’s there, where’s at, why he loves to do what he does.”

Lexington, Kentucky!!!! Let the fun begin!!!🐾💙🤍#BBN pic.twitter.com/kzn63LvKVA

— Kendall “Hollywood” Jackson (@big_Ken8) June 16, 2023

Freshman All-American DL Deone Walker was Jackson’s player host throughout his official visit. The two had previously met when Jackson last visited Kentucky in April, but this time around, he was able to really bond with Walker and learn more about what the Wildcats can offer to a defensive lineman.

“I talked to him a little bit my first time going to Kentucky but this time, getting to talk to him more, picking his mind,” Jackson said. “He was just letting me know how the coaching staff is gonna always care for you and if you come in and work your tail off you can start as a freshman.”

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Jackson, the No. 365 overall rising senior in the country per the On3 Industry Ranking, has taken a trio of OVs already this month. He first stopped at nearby Florida (June 2) and then made his way to Arkansas (June 9) before popping into Lexington this past weekend. He’ll hit Miami (FL) this coming weekend for his final OV before settling in to make a decision, which he says is coming sooner than originally expected.

“I’ve come up with July 20,” Jackson said of when he would like to commit. “I pushed it up because I wanted to be able to get my commitment out the way and then be able to focus on my upcoming season and not have to worry about recruiting or anything like that. Just focus on my senior season and having a great season.”

The Hurricanes will have the chance to make a compelling pitch, but as things stand right now, Kentucky and Florida are standing out from the rest of the pack. Jackson recently told Gators Online that UF had “a good lead” in his recruitment after he took his OV there at the beginning of the month, but the Wildcats closed that gap quite a bit with their pitch over the weekend.

“Definitely did. Kentucky, they’re probably neck-and-neck right now (with Florida),” he added. “Those are my two biggest schools that I like the most so far.”

During his junior season at F. W. Buchholz in 2022, Jackson registered 65 tackles (37 solo), 22 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two interceptions (including one pick-6), and two forced fumbles.