Penn State linebacker Kari Jackson plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Penn State linebacker Kari Jackson has decided to enter his name into the transfer portal. A redshirt freshman from Michigan, Jackson was a three-star prospect coming out of West Bloomfield in the 2024 recruiting class.

”Thank you Penn State! To my coaches, my team-mates, and the entire Nittany Lion family: Thank you for believing in me and pushing me every day. I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal and am excited to see where God takes me next,” Jackson wrote on Twitter.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker came onto PSU’s radar screen ahead of his sophomore season, earning an offer in May 2021. His junior season ended up being the best of his prep career, as Jackson finished with 103 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and three sacks. He ended up committing to the Nittany Lions not long after in Feb. 2023.

However, Jackson missed his entire senior season due to injury. He earned praise for his efforts during spring practice in 2024, but ultimately suffered another injury during his first summer camp that derailed those efforts.

“I experienced my injury in summer camp, but I was still able to be out there with the guys and watch film, break down film with my coaches. And also talk to some of my teammates off the field, and break down their film with them. To be able to learn from their mistakes and stuff like that and also work into the weight room with coaches to build a better relationship with them.”

Unfortunately for Jackson, injuries continued to be an issue this past season, as he appeared on Penn State’s availability report marked as ‘Out’ in the majority of games.