A humble Nick Jackson describes the feeling of having 27 scholarship offers as “far-fetched. It’s a blessing.”
The University of Virginia is among the group of offers the Lovett School (Atlanta, GA) junior linebacker/tight end is considering. UVA, Jackson’s father’s alma mater, extended a scholarship offer to the 6’2”, 220-pound prospect back in February. The younger Jackson was on Grounds on an unofficial visit when he received the news from head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
“Virginia was the first school to begin recruiting me. They weren’t the first to offer, but they were the first to recruit me,” Jackson said. “I began talking to them last July at camp. I came back for the Georgia Tech game. Then I came back in February, which is when Coach Mendenhall sat me down in his office and offered me.”
Beyond blessed to receive an offer from The University of Virginia today! #NewStandard #WahooWa @hotohunt09 pic.twitter.com/bHuiAhe8Vq
— Nick Jackson (@nickjhoops) February 10, 2018
As he noted, Jackson has been to UVA three separate times within the past year. Asked for his impressions of Coach Mendenhall and staff, the Peach State standout said: “It’s a close-knit family. It’s a family. I love that part. Coach Mendenhall, Coach Hunter, Coach Poppinga, and Coach Beck have all been checking in on me constantly.”
Virginia offered Jackson as a linebacker. More specifically, the Peach State standout believes the Cavaliers are recruiting him as an inside linebacker. It’s the position coached by Shane Hunter, the Virginia coach Jackson has spoken with the most.
“I love Coach Hunter,” Jackson said. “He’s always checking on me. He definitely has made a big impression on me. When I went there he showed me a bunch of film, how they like to get after it, the blitzes and different calls they make.”
Every one of Jackson’s Power 5 school offers are at linebacker. What do they like about his game?
“Mostly, (major FBS coaches) like my athleticism,” Jackson noted. “They like my flexibility and think I can play in different schemes.”
An honorable mention Class AAA all-state selection last season, Jackson was named The Opening Atlanta linebacker MVP on March 25. RecruitGeorgia.com describes the two-way standout as follows:
Jackson was one of the best freshman in the state a few years back, showing elite hand-eye coordination and mental toughness as a tight end. Fast forward to now, and the 2019 recruit is one of the top linebackers in the state of Georgia.. Over the last year he has made dramatic improvements in the weight room and his agility. Ability to attack and react to the play is at the Power 5 level. Absolutely love the way he is finishing off his tackles, and rock-solid tackling fundamentals he shows. His ability to accelerate into the backfield is near the best in the class of 2019 for linebackers, and we only expect more P5 schools to be interested.
Pittsburgh, Colorado State, Kentucky and Colorado are schools that have offered Jackson within the past two weeks. Virginia, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, NC State, Northwestern, Rutgers, Syracuse and Vanderbilt are among the schools that offered earlier in the process.
Jackson admits his father’s connection to UVA has some significance. However, there is no favorite or favorites at this point in his decision-making process. Jackson plans to narrow his list around May with the goal of committing before the start of his senior season.
“My Dad has ties there and I see him as a successful person,” Jackson noted. “Going to a good school and getting a good degree is important.”
