Fast-track recruiting process ends with back signing with Florida

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• O&B Board Insider: Football team update
• O&B Board Insider: Four-star sets two visits
• Early Entry Review: IMG experience helped prepare Harris for Florida football
• Buy, Sell, Hold: 12 in-state four-star prospects
• The Inside Scoop: In-depth spring review
• Florida talking to under-the-radar lineman about June official visit
• Recruiting Quick Hitter: Three four-stars looking closely at Florida

Entering the month of May, Coahoma C.C. running back Jakobi Jackson thought that he had his immediate future planned out.

After three years playing for the Tigers the 6-foot, 215-pounder was on his way to play for Charleston Southern.

Or, so he thought.

However, in less than a two-and-a-half week period, he went from first hearing from the Gators to deciding on joining the Florida football program.

“Florida text me two days before graduation, on May 11th,” explained Jackson. “They said that they were going to start recruiting me and asked me what day I could be available the following week so that they could come to see me. Coach [Jabbar] Juluke came and recorded me working out and running drills. They went back and watched it as a staff and they had me on campus the next Wednesday for an unofficial visit on the 24th, and then I committed.”

On the surface, you would think that it doesn’t feel like there would be a huge decision to make between sticking with his commitment to CSU and flipping to the Gators.

You would be correct.

According to Jackson, when UF offered he knew what he was going to do.

“I think it is the best decision I could make. It felt like the place to be. A home away from home. It’s close to where I’m originally from (Pensacola) and the coaches give off family vibes. They’re giving me the opportunity to play at the top level of football. I want to take advantage of the opportunity and work for everything.”

With returning running backs Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne joined by transfer Cam Carroll and true freshman Treyaun Webb when he arrives at Florida, Jackson will enter perhaps the most stacked position group in the program.

Leaving the question as to where he fits into the equation.

“I feel like I can come in really and just help out,” said Jackson. “Not just as a running back, but really wherever they need me or want to use me. I can come in and do what I do. I just know that I love to work, so it didn’t matter to me if they are stacked. I see it as an opportunity.”

Jackson then shared what he believes he adds to the running back room.

“I have great hands and great vision, and I can make people miss. I can do a little bit of everything,” said Jackson. “But, if you ask what I do best, I have great hands out of the backfield.”

Though the players have their first post-spring meeting on Monday, Jackson said that he won’t be reporting immediately as he gets all his paperwork sent in.

When he does arrive though, he has a message for the Gator Nation.

“I want the fans to know that they are getting a competitor. Don’t sleep on me because of how everything happened. Playing in the SEC is like a dream come true. To get that opportunity from Coach [Billy] Napier, to show what I can do with these kinds of resources, I’ve never had anything like this before. The coaches told me that if I come in and work hard there’s going to be an opportunity for me and that’s all I needed to hear.”

Last season Jackson had 128 carries for 661 yards (5.2 avg) and 7 touchdowns while adding 4 catches for 15-yards in the passing game for the 1-8 Tigers.

Go to discussion...