Penn State adds another linebacker to Class of 2024: Video Breakdown
Penn State football picked up its third commitment in the Class of 2024 with three-star linebacker Kari Jackson joining the program. Jackson picked the Nittany Lions over Michigan and Michigan State, but a clear Penn State lean for most of the process. To give you more insight into that process, Blue White Illustrated breaks down Jackson’s road to Penn State in our breaking news video recap.
Check out the full video on YouTube and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any breaking news content. This week is already off to a fast start, with defensive line coach John Scott Jr exiting the program for the NFL yesterday.
Despite already having a true mike linebacker in the class, Penn State decided to take Jackson to pair with Pennsylvania prospect Anthony Speca, who committed last month.
Snyder explains why it’s not a big issue Penn State,
“When you look at their depth chart, you have Tyler Elsdon, who is entering his fourth season now, you know, could he come back for a fifth? Yes. Will he come back up? We’ll see. It’s certainly possible. When you have a bunch of guys in their fourth, fifth, sixth year, you want to add numbers. And I think they just have these two quality middle linebackers they don’t want to pass up on
Jackson is a throwback player for Penn State
Snyder also explains where Jackson ranks in the On3 ranking system.
“Three-star prospect by on three as an 88 overall rating, which makes him a high three-star. Kind of one of those guys that’s always called bubble prospects right Kind of right on the bubble there between three-star and four-star.”
However, the rating doesn’t reflect his on-field prowess, according to film analyst Thomas Frank Carr. That IMG training shows through in his film and should help him at Penn State.
What I love about Jackson is he plays through contact well. He knows how to take on blocks with the proper shoulder he needs to fight through to get into his gap,” he says in the video
“And then, of course, he doesn’t overrun a whole lot of plays. I think he’s a pretty disciplined football player. His vision is excellent. His ability, you know, watch it on the highlight tape, but also watching. He’s a guy that matches up pretty well with what you see on the highlight tape is what he is. When you turn on the film and watch a full game, he does not make many mistakes against the run game.”
Penn State now has three players in the Class of 2023 and is ranked 18th nationally in the On3 team rankings.
