Former Kentucky target Ja'Keem Jackson enters transfer portal

A busy month for the Kentucky football program is underway. The Wildcats are putting the finishing touches on their 2025 high school class after losing two long-time commits on Sunday. Adding these young prospects is important but a huge portal period awaits the program.

On Dec. 9, the winter transfer portal will officially open. That means teams can contact players legally and get visits scheduled. Decisions in this window will happen fast as programs attempt to build rosters before the spring semester begins in January. Kentucky will be in the market for multiple positions. Mark Stoops’ program is expected to sign two high school cornerbacks on Wednesday but could also be in the market for a portal player who could come in and potentially replace Maxwell Hairston in the starting lineup.

A player that the staff has an established relationship entered the free agent market on Tuesday. Florida cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal after spending two seasons in Billy Napier’s program.

BREAKING: Florida CB Ja’Keem Jackson plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports

The 6’1 196 DB started each of Florida’s 1st 2 games before suffering an injury

Was ranked as the No. 3 CB in the ‘23 Class (per On3)https://t.co/tnnWsGX6vc pic.twitter.com/HkVT5T9j34

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 3, 2024

Ja’Keem Jackson played 113 snaps as a true freshman before earning a starting spot as a sophomore. However, the second-year player was lost to injury after playing 86 snaps the first two weeks. Jackson preserved his redshirt and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Will Kentucky enter the chat? The Cats really wanted to sign Jackson in the 2023 high school cycle.

The Central Florida native was a top-100 recruit and Under Armour All-American. Kentucky got the prospect on campus for an in-season official visit during the 2022 campaign but were unable to complete a flip after Jackson committed to the Gators in July.

Co-defensive coordinator Chris Collins ran point on this Ja’Keem Jackson recruitment and had Kentucky in good position. Could that established relationship bring an SEC starter to Lexington?

Stay tuned. It’s head on a swivel season.