Jackson sees opportunity
ELLENWOOD, Ga. - Rivals250 defender Antwuan Jackson didn't have a
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chance to hit the road last weekend, and with another Saturday game coming up,
he won't be on the recruiting trail this week either. That is giving the four-star
tackle plenty of time to focus on his last visit - a trip to Athens to see the
Bulldogs take on the Crimson Tide.
"It was great just seeing two top teams from the SEC go face-to-face with each
other for the first time since 2012," Jackson said. "It was great. I still loved
the game. It was still great, but it was raining, so I was by the locker room
for the fourth quarter."
Though the Bulldogs may have dropped the contest, it doesn't change the Cedar
Grove standout's opinion of the team.
"Not at all," Jackson said of the loss influencing his view. "It just tells me
that (Georgia) really needs some help upfront. They're still a great team, and
they can probably still see Alabama from the west in the SEC championship."
Jackson thinks recruits deserve more credit for being understanding about a loss
than they may be given credit for.
"I totally understand," Jackson said. "No prospects I know have that criticism
about any team. I think they see positives. They can come in, improve, and play
for that team."
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Several Georgia commits have continued to court their former Rising Seniors
teammate, including fellow defensive linemen Julian Rochester and Tyler Clark.
"They just want me to hop onboard very soon," Jackson said.
The visit during the Alabama game compared favorably to an earlier stop in
Athens this season, where Jackson was able to see his brother, Bryson
Allen-Williams, and South Carolina take on the Bulldogs.
"Both of them were great," Jackson said. "Georgia played two good games, but
they could have played better for the Alabama game. They're still a great team,
and I still loved the visits for both of them."
Despite perceptions that Ohio State and Auburn may be tough to overcome, the
senior maintains the Bulldogs are not lagging in the race.
"I don't think Georgia is very behind," Jackson said. "They're not behind at
all. They've always been in my top schools ever since I started recruiting.
They've never been behind. During the visit, I just talked to coaches and hung
out and had a good time. I spoke with Mark Richt and mostly all of the defensive
coaches. I still have great relationships with the coaches. I talk to them
mostly every day. I talk to them daily, so I don't think anything is slipping
with them."
Those strong bonds exist with the two frontrunners for his services, as well.
"My relationship with Coach (Rodney) Garner is that we've been talking since my
ninth grade year," Jackson said. "He's known me, and I've known him since he was
at Georgia first. When he got to Auburn, he offered me there. I met (Ohio State
defensive line) Coach (Larry) Johnson in February or March when they offered me,
and we have a great relationship with each other."
While those relationships will play a factor, it's a bigger picture that Jackson
is looking at.
"For me to pick the school, I've got to love it," Jackson said. "It's not just
the coaches or the football team. I've got to love the school first."
When the nation's No. 10 ranked defensive tackle is able to resume his visit
schedule, he's got a couple of dates already circled, including another chance
to see Georgia.
"I'm thinking about going to Alabama when they play LSU soon," Jackson said.
"I'm most definitely going to see the UGA-Auburn game and the Auburn-Alabama
game. I'm also thinking about hitting Clemson soon also."
As for when he may offer his verbal commitment, reports had emerged that Jackson
was considering pulling the trigger a bit earlier than expected, but he's
cleared up the notions and now has a tentative window in mind.
"It was just a miscommunication with my coaches," Jackson said. "They thought I
was going to do it at the Army-All American ceremony, but it was a
miscommunication. I'm thinking about doing it in November or December."