2016 OL Alaric Jackson all set to announce his decision
DETROIT - Renaissance dropped an important game yesterday to East English Village Prep, 61-50, where Phoenix big-man and three-star offensive tackle, Alaric Jackson, only managed to score three points, and grab 12 rebounds. Jackson was obviously disappointed in the loss, but did not have much time to dwell on it, as he has an important decision approaching on where he will play college football. He has it narrowed down to three schools, after collecting over a dozen of offers.
"I'm deciding Monday," Jackson said. "It'll be between Iowa, Iowa State, and Nebraska. I'll be announcing on Twitter, and sign at Horatio Williams' event on National Signing Day."
The 6-7, 285-pounder is considered a lean to Iowa, and his most recent visit was to the Hawkeyes on January 22. Iowa has already landed a commitment from East English Village Prep senior defensive end Cedrick Lattimore, who Jackson has a good relationship with, playing basketball and football against him in the Detroit Public School League. Jackson enjoyed his visit to Iowa City, and spoke highly of the football program there.
"Iowa is a big school," said Jackson. "They are 'O-line U", and they have sent a lot of lineman to the league (NFL). I talk to Coach Ferentz (Brian) almost everyday, and they have a pretty good staff.
"My visit there was great. It was a great atmosphere. They have great people, and everybody was just loving me there. It was great."
Jackson also named Iowa's biggest rival, Iowa State, to his top three, and a Big Ten foe, Nebraska, to his final three. The Cyclones are bringing in a new staff, but one in which Jackson is familiar with since his recruiting process first started. The Cornhuskers also cracked the final list, but had a visit from Jackson cancelled this weekend, which could bode well for the others.
"Iowa State's staff has been on me since they were at Toledo," Jackson said. "Coach McDonald, and Coach Campbell have been talking to me a lot.
"Nebraska sends people to the league as well, offensive lineman at least, and Coach Cavanaugh is a great guy, he's very loyal to me, and we talk almost everyday."
Jackson certainly has a tough decision to make, and if he has not already, only has the weekend to do it, if his plans on announcing Monday remain concrete. He seemed to like all three programs, Iowa, Iowa State, and Nebraska, and whoever lands him get a tremendous athlete with size, and an amazing upside.
"Everybody has been loyal to me," Jackson said of his top three. "They are all good people, they have good facilities, and stuff like that. So, I'm just going to take my time with this."