Local DL Kendall Jackson Commits to Florida Gators
Florida, as a program, is on an unreplicated surge in the recruiting market compared to its results from over the past decade. It shows no signs of ending soon.
After landing coveted offensive tackle Fletcher Westphal on Monday, Billy Napier and Co. reeled in the 19th pledge of the cycle as defensive lineman Kendall Jackson announced his decision to align with the Gators on Wednesday.
Jackson is the nephew of former Gators star wide receiver, the late Aubrey Hill.
Officially visiting the University June 2-4, Jackson deemed Florida the team in the driver's seat to earn his services before a more thorough evaluation of the other schools pursuing him. Proceeding to take three additional visits in the ensuing weekends — to Arkansas, Kentucky and Miami — the Wildcats emerged as the most likely candidate to topple the Gators' strong hold on Jackson's eventual pledge.
He shared with All Gators that the visits, as a whole, made the decision difficult.
However, despite weighing his options, Jackson returned to the longtime favorite. He chose to team up with the hometown team nine days before his previously scheduled July 21 commitment date to claim his spot in the class as it fills up rapidly.
As a disruptive, high-motor performer at the prep level, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Swiss army knife along Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz's defensive front posted 65 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups, two interceptions and a pick-six as a junior.
His potential pops off the film and stat sheet. It was enough to catch the eye of both the previous staff and the Napier-led operation currently leading the Florida program.
Jackson will likely occupy the JACK and/or F positions in Austin Armstrong's multiple-front defense.
The homegrown prospect now looks to hone the skills, and versatility, he showcased during the productive junior campaign under edge rushers coach Mike Peterson in a newly reconstructed position group that engulfed the strongside ends this offseason.
"I mean, he has the experience to teach me great, great things because he's been there; he's been through it," Jackson told AG when asked about Peterson's influence in his recruitment following his aforementioned multi-day stay at UF this summer.
However, Peterson's understanding of Jackson's position as a Gainesville native remaining home for college — as someone who did it himself in 1995 out of Santa Fe High School — helped affirm the decision for the Buchholz product to don orange and blue threads at the next level.
"From the same city as I am, so he knows what it's like to be a local kid if I were to commit," Jackson said. "It means a lot ... [for him] to give and show me the ropes."
The Gators move forward with four defensive trenchmen pledged to the program in mid-July — excluding a potential fifth in standup edge rusher Jamonta Waller. While monstrous tackles Nasir Johnson and Michai Boireau assume spots on the interior, Jackson will join the uber-talented Amaris Williams at the new-look defensive end spot in 2024.
Florida hopes to keep the impressive summer surge on the trail going as targets Jayden Jackson (Thursday), Teddy Foster (Friday), Jalyn Crawford (Saturday) and Caleb Odom (Saturday) are set to also announce their collegiate destinations this week.
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