Three-Star Linebacker Nick Jackson Announces Verbal Commitment To Virginia Football

By: Chris Horne |

The University of Virginia football program has received some great news on the recruiting front ahead of Saturday’s home game versus North Carolina. Nick Jackson, a senior linebacker out of The Lovett School, a private school in Atlanta (GA), announced his verbal commitment to the Cavaliers via Twitter Thursday (October 25) evening.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for the blessings he has given me so far,” Jackson began. “I would like to thank my parents for the sacrifices that they have made throughout this process. Thank you to every single coach that helped me get to this point and recruited me. Finally, thank you to all my family and friends, I could not have gotten here without you. I am excited to announce my commitment to The University of Virginia! #Wahoowa #NewStandard”

Jackson’s decision comes on the heels of an official visit he made to UVA the weekend of October 12-14, which is the same weekend the Cavaliers took down then-No. 16 Miami in Scott Stadium. Duke, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Louisville, NC State, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Texas A&M and Wisconsin are among the other schools that offered the 6’2”, 220-pound senior, but in the end he decided he will take his talents to Charlottesville.

Nick’s father, Doug, who is a Virginia alum, was understandably excited about his son’s decision.

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall and the rest of the Virginia coaching staff didn’t rely on Jackson being a legacy to bring him into the fold. The Hoos, led by primary recruiter Shane Hunter, have been recruiting the Rivals and 247Sports 3-star prospect since July of 2017, when Jackson attended a camp.

“Virginia was the first school to begin recruiting me,” Jackson told TheSabre.com in this EDGE report last April. “They weren’t the first to offer, but they were the first to recruit me. I began talking to them at camp. I came back for the Georgia Tech game (in November of 2017). Then I came back in February, which is when Coach Mendenhall sat me down in his office and offered me.”

Virginia now boasts 21 commitments in its 2019 Class. Jackson, Josh Ahern and Hunter Stewart are sure-fire linebackers. Chayce Chalmers (safety/linebacker), DSean Perry (outside linebacker/defensive end) and Jairus Satiu (outside linebacker) are other linebacker possibilities as well. Jackson is being recruited as an inside linebacker.

“Mostly, (major FBS coaches) like my athleticism,” Jackson noted in the EDGE article. “They like my flexibility and think I can play in different schemes.”

Midway through his senior season, Jackson had racked up 56 tackles. Courtesy of Hudl, here are highlights from this part of the future Cavalier’s senior campaign.

Virginia Football’s 2019 Class Commitments

– Josh Ahern, Linebacker, Lake Braddock (Burke, VA)
– Kariem Al Soufi, Offensive Lineman, Germany
– Emil Bo Andersen, Defensive Lineman, Denmark
– Jowon Briggs, Defensive Tackle, Walnut Creek (Cincinnati, OH)
– Chayce Chalmers, Linebacker/Safety, Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, VA)
– Antonio Clary, Athlete, Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL)
– Fentrell Cypress, Cornerback, Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.)
– Dorien Goddard, Athlete, Greeneville (TN)
– Robert Harvey, Jr., Dual-Threat Quarterback, Edgewarter (Orlando, FL)
– Ja’Quay Hubbard, Offensive Lineman, Sharpsville (PA)
– Nick Jackson, Linebacker, The Lovett School (Atlanta, GA)
– Jonathan Leech, Offensive Lineman, Mill Creek (Hoschton, GA)
– Seneca Milledge, H-Back, Dunbar (Fort Myers, FL)
– D’Sean Perry, Linebacker/Defensive End, Gulliver Prep (Miami, FL)
– Jairus Satiu, Linebacker, Fork Union Military Academy (VA) via Lehi, Utah
– Ben Smiley, Defensive Lineman, Indian River (Chesapeake, VA)
– Hunter Stewart, Linebacker, Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.)
– Tiquest Terry, Wide Receiver, Blacksburg (VA)
– Zachary Teter, Offensive Lineman, Lake Gibson (Lakeland, FL)
– Luke Wentz, Quarterback/Athlete, Germany
– Major Williams, Defensive Back, Dunbar (Fort Myers, FL)