LB Kari Jackson details his decision to commit to Penn State
Penn State picked up its second linebacker commit in the Class of 2024 Tuesday morning, adding Michigan native Kari Jackson. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound middle linebacker recently visited State College back on Jan. 28. That visit, in addition to consistent communication, played a major role in his decision.
“I would say, first, the team culture,” Jackson said when asked why Penn State was the school for him. “Just the relationship that the coaches have built with the players and also the relationships the players have with each other. They call themselves brothers there. They look up to their position coaches and Coach [James] Franklin as father figures and as role models. I really like the culture there. It’s a big family. They’re all supporting each other and are there for each other.”
Jackson spoke with multiple members of Penn State’s staff throughout his recruitment. Both Franklin and recruiting assistant Alan Zemaitis played pivotal roles. However, defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was his primary recruiter.
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“Manny was huge. He’s always been someone that I stayed in contact with heavily throughout the whole recruiting process,” Jackson said. “I built a great relationship with Manny personally and I trust what he’s building there. He came up to the school a couple of times. We got on the phone a lot on FaceTime. I think we have a great connection.”
The West Bloomfield prospect may have announced his decision today, but he said he’s known what he wanted to do for about a week now.
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“It was last week,” Jackson said, when asked when he knew PSU was the school for him. “I wasn’t expecting to commit this early, but God just kind of led me to this. It really hit me in my stomach last Tuesday. I felt like I had to go here, like I needed to go here. It was home for me and there was no point in waiting.”
Jackson, who totaled 103 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and three sacks in just seven games last year, joins linebacker Anthony Speca and offensive lineman Cooper Cousins in PSU’s class so far.
“I connected with them today and I hung out with them a little bit during the junior day visit, too,” Jackson said, referring to Speca and Cousins.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Jackson is ranked No. 504 nationally. He’s the 53rd-ranked linebacker at No. 11 overall in Michigan for the 2024 class.
