Florida football recruiting: Four-star CB Ja’Keem Jackson commits to Gators for 2023

By OnlyGators.com Staff
July 28, 2022
Florida football recruiting: Four-star CB Ja’Keem Jackson commits to Gators for 2023
Football

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The Florida Gators did not haul in every Osceola High School prospect they wanted Thursday, but a verbal commitment from four-star cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson (Kissimmee, FL) was nevertheless a significant addition for the program. He was one of three players who had the Gators as a finalist.

Jackson (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) committed to Florida over a list of finalists that included Auburn, Penn State and Tennessee. Seeing success transitioning from wide receiver to defensive back, he is raw but nevertheless of the fastest-rising prospects in the Class of 2023.

“The culture there and the vibe from all the coaches — they show mad love almost every day,” Jackson said when explaining the reasoning for his decision. He also singled out cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond and his track record of development as part of the motivation for his pledge.

Rated as the 168th overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite, Jackson is now the third-highest ranked player in the Gators’ class. He boosted Florida six spots to No. 17 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings with UF aiming to add even more pledges coming out of its Friday Night Lights recruiting spectacular this weekend.

The Gators hoped to land all three Osceola teammates Thursday; however, four-star defensive lineman John Walker (Kissimmee, FL) became the highest-rated commitment in UCF history (No. 99 overall), and four-star linebacker Derrick LeBlanc (Kissimmee, FL) became a signature piece of Oklahoma’s recruiting class (No. 101 overall). It’s expected that Florida will continue recruiting both players with a particular eye on Walker, who is viewed as one of the top defensive prospects in the class by UF’s coaching staff.

Though recruiting has not delivered as many fireworks as Gators fans expected at this early juncture under head coach Billy Napier, there’s no question Florida is heading in the right direction with nearly five months remaining before the early signing period. Eleven of UF’s 13 pledges are now from the Sunshine State, though only three are among the top 200 prospects in the nation.

CommitPos.Rating
Kelby Collins (44)
DL*
Ja'Keem Jackson (60)
CB*
Aidan Mizell (102)
WR*
Eugene Wilson (110)
WR*
Dijon Johnson (114)
CB*
Roderick Kearney (116)
OL*
Kamran James (168)
DL*
Will Norman (192)
DL*
Jordan Castell (208)
DB*
Sharif Denson (220)
CB*
TJ Searcy (257)
DL*
Gavin Hill
DL*
Aaron Gates
ATH*
Treyaun Webb
RB*
Andy Jean
WR*
Bryce Thornton
DB*
Jaden Robinson
LB*
Caden Jones
OL
Knijeah Harris
OL*
Bryce Lovett
OL*

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