Florida commit Ja'Keem Jackson confirms Kentucky OV this weekend

Last weekend was a massive couple of days for Kentucky football recruiting; this weekend will be just as important.

One of the prospects we know for sure will be in Lexington is current Florida Gators commit Ja’Keem Jackson, who confirmed on Tuesday morning via Twitter that he will visit Kentucky this weekend for an official visit to watch the Wildcats take on No. 16 Mississippi State on Saturday. Jackson is a 6-foot-0, 180-pound cornerback out of Kissimmee, FL who ranks as a four-star prospect and the No. 174 overall player in the senior class, according to the On3 Consensus.

Lexington this weekend ⚪️🔵 #bbn @CoachC_Collins @UKCoachStoops pic.twitter.com/bFlrWxl5nY

— Ja’Keem Jackson (@Roadrunnerjah) October 11, 2022

Jackson has been committed to Florida since July but continues to hear heavily from the ‘Cats. He has taken multiple game visits to Gainesville this season and took official visits over the summer to Auburn, Penn State, and Tennessee. Jackson still has one remaining official visit left.

This won’t be the first stop in Lexington for Jackson, either. He stopped by the UK facilities back in June for an unofficial two-day visit. Defensive backs coach Chris Collins has been Jackson’s lead recruiter.

Another possible plus for Kentucky: Jackson’s older brother, Markevus Jackson, recently enrolled as a sophomore at UK and has joined the track and field program.

Kendrick Gilbert, Jacob Lacey visiting Kentucky too

Jackson isn’t the only important prospect coming to Lexington, though. Purdue commit Kendrick Gilbert and Notre Dame transfer Jacob Lacey will both join Jackson at UK this weekend.

Gilbert, a class of 2023 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive lineman, has scheduled a visit to Kentucky, according to 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. Gilbert has been committed to the Boilermakers since late August, but the Wildcats’ coaching staff hasn’t given up, and getting him on campus is a significant move.

Gilbert is considered a four-star prospect and the No. 313 overall high school senior in the country, according to the On3 Consensus.

As for Lacey, the Fighting Irish senior defensive lineman put his name in the transfer portal last Thursday. A day later, Josh Edwards of CatsPause reported that the 6-foot-2, 285-pound former four-star prospect will visit Lexington for the matchup against Mississippi State.

The Bowling Green (KY) South Warren product was the No. 3 player in Kentucky from the class of 2019 and chose Notre Dame over Clemson, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and Tennessee. Lacey played in 38 career games at Notre Dame, tallying 35 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

By ending his season now, Lacey gets to retain a redshirt season. The Bluegrass native will have two years of eligibility remaining.