Florida commit Ja'Keem Jackson plans to OV at Kentucky in the fall

Ja’Keem Jackson has been committed to the Florida Gators since late July, but his recruitment has only gained traction since then.

The class of 2023 four-star cornerback has been hearing plenty from other high-profile schools since his decision. Jackson, who attends Osceola High School in Kissimmee, FL, picked up written offers on August 1 from the likes of Florida State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Penn State, Auburn, Georgia, Miami (FL), and Kentucky. He’s considered the No. 176 overall high school senior, according to the On3 Consensus.

But out of all those schools, it’s the Wildcats that the 6-foot, 180-pound DB plans to visit this fall.

“I’m for sure taking an OV (official visit) to Kentucky during the season,” Jackson told KSR on Tuesday.

No official date has been decided, but Jackson is confident he’ll spend one of his two remaining official visits in Lexington. The other will be to Florida on Sept. 3 when the Gators open up the 2022 schedule against No. 7 Utah in Gainesville. His family has a close relationship with the UF coaching staff.

But Jackson is very familiar with the UK program too, including the ‘Cats among his Top 6 in late June. He received his second-ever Divison I offer from Kentucky (Jan. 2022), visited campus unofficially in mid-June, and hasn’t stopped hearing from the staff ever since, particularly defensive backs coach Chris Collins.

“Coach Collins, he was a day one coach for me,” Jackson said. “He’s been there since day one and even though I committed (to Florida) he still be checking up on me and stuff like that. They got a good program, facilities, I liked what I seen over there.”

My guy 🔥🔥🔥🔥 @CoachC_Collins #BBN pic.twitter.com/kSGrEjAjB8

— Ja’Keem Jackson (@Roadrunnerjah) June 14, 2022

Jackson’s relationship with Kentucky stems beyond the gridiron, too. His brother, Markevus Jackson, recently transferred to the school’s track team and arrived in Lexington last week. But it’s what the UK staff has done on the field over the years that has Jackson truly interested in the ‘Cats.

“They like my transition from receiver to corner. They say they can work with me a lot,” Jackson added. “Coach (Mark) Stoops, he was a DB coach at one point, and when I went there, he was just telling me he would get me right and all of that. He was telling me all the people he’s sent to the league. And Coach Collins, he’s new to the college coaching but I have a good feeling about him.”

Jackson said he was able to watch the current Kentucky defensive backs practice when he was on campus earlier this summer. With eyes locked on Coach Collins, Jackson came away impressed with how he saw the coach conduct drills and interact with his players.

Along with Kentucky, Jackson mentioned the following schools as ones reaching out more than others since he committed to Florida: Mississippi State, Auburn, Tennessee, Penn State, Florida State, Miami (FL), and Kentucky. He specifically talked about MSU and UK as two programs coming after him hard. Jackson took previous OVs in June to a trio of schools: Auburn, Penn State, and Tennessee.