Kentucky cracks Top 6 for DL Kendall Jackson following unofficial visit
On Saturday, Kendall Jackson was in Lexington on his first-ever visit to Kentucky. Two days later, the Wildcats cracked his Top 6.
On Monday afternoon, Jackson announced a list of his college finalists: Kentucky, Ole Miss, Texas, Florida, Miami (FL), and Mississippi State. The three-star defensive lineman is considered the No. 432 overall junior prospect in the country, per the On3 Consensus, and is quickly developing a solid relationship with UK’s defensive backs coach Chris Collins, who primarily recruits out of the Sunshine State. Jackson suits up for F. W. Buchholz High School in Gainesville, FL.
Prior to dropping his Top 6, Jackson spoke with KSR to detail his decision and his recent visit to Kentucky. He was especially impressed with how Kentucky conducted its spring practice session and how hard everyone was playing. Meeting and chatting with fellow defensive lineman Deone Walker, who was a Freshman All-American for UK in 2022, for the first time was another highlight of his trip.
“The Kentucky visit was great,” Jackson said. “They had me watch practice, go into meetings, talk with nutritionists, stuff like that. It was great. The practice was great, being able to watch them, and they’re full go. It was a scrimmage, so it was full go. Watched them get out there, watching the (defensive line), and listening to the way they run their meetings. It was great.”
Jackson first began to hear from Kentucky and Coach Collins back in the fall. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound lineman earned an offer from the Wildcats in Oct. 2022, his second from an SEC school.
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“Coach Collins is a great coach in person, real chill,” Jackson added. “Cool coach.”
Florida is the perceived leader, according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, after taking nearly a dozen visits to check out the nearby Gators over the last couple of years. Since March, Jackson has taken visits to the other five schools in his Top 6.
The next step in Jackson’s process will be setting up official visits for the summer, which he’ll have five to use at his disposal. He’s unsure at this moment if Kentucky will receive one of those precious official visits, but it’s certainly in the conversation. Regardless, he plans to visit Lexington again in the fall for a gameday trip.
“It’s in the works,” Jackson said of a potential OV to Kentucky. “I’ll definitely try to get up there for a fall game but as far as any OVs or stuff like that, it’s in the works.”
As a junior at F. W. Buchholz, Jackson recorded 65 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He was named to Florida’s Class 4S All-State Team this past season.
talking with Bama a lot more lately, going up for spring game
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