How Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson Earned a Spot on Kentucky's Roster

There’s a story behind every signee in Kentucky’s 2020 football recruiting class. D’Eryk Jackson sacrificed to secure his spot.

A class that is defined by star-power in the recruiting rankings, Jackson did not get to Kentucky by impressing scouts at recruiting camps. The lowest-ranked recruit in Kentucky’s class saved his best work for UK’s coaches at a camp in Lexington. Jon Sumrall, his future position coach and primary recruiter, shared the story on Early Signing Day.

“Coach White and I went down there and watched him this spring. We told him he needed to come to camp for us to stamp off on being able to commit here. He drove, left West Lawrence in Dublin, Ga at 11 p.m. one night, got here at 7:00 in the morning,” Sumrall said.

“Drove through the night with his Dad on the morning that his mother was having surgery. They got to our gate 12 of the stadium. We got ’em in the building, let them hang out a couple hours, went to camp and didn’t flinch. He earned the opportunity to be here. That right there fires me up because he’s committed to this program. He’s committed to the game.”

After a restless night, Jackson posted one of the best 40-yard dash times of any camper at his position and completely dominated the day. Mark Stoops was impressed by what he saw.

“D’Eryk is a big guy,” said Kentucky’s head coach. “You know we needed a little size in there at inside linebacker. He’s kind of like a big thumper type but he moves around really well.”

Before returning home, Jackson earned his scholarship offer and committed on the spot.

“That’s what we’re hunting is guys that love football and he’s committed to football,” said Sumrall.

Just by taking one look at his film, you can see that Jackson thrives as a head-hunter. You can’t hear the crunch, but you can feel it when he lowers his shoulder to deliver a blow. Jackson will arrive on campus for classes this spring.