He had more than 14 sacks last season and South Carolina is talking to him every day
First year South Carolina defensive line coach Tracy Rocker is in pursuit of one of the nation’s top defensive ends in Shambre Jackson (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) of Orlando, and he’s gotten the Gamecocks into his shortened list of 13. But Rocker and Will Muschamp will be going up against some of the national elite for Jackson who also has Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, Auburn, Florida, Southern Cal, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Miami on the short list.
“I like South Carolina, they offered like a couple of months ago and I talk to them every day and they send me stuff every day,” Jackson said. “I like them. They are cool people. Probably go there for a visit, maybe. I don’t know yet.”
Rocker, who was an All-American defensive tackle at Auburn and who is in the College Football Hall of Fame, can share some knowledge with Jackson about what it takes to excel at his position. Jackson is more than happy to listen.
“I’m a big defensive end,” Jackson said. “He said I’m very fast for a guy my size and I can strike well and stuff like that. I like going after the quarterback.”
Jackson had 14 1/2 sacks last season along with 56 tackles and 25 tackles for loss.
He also is hearing a lot from Alabama, Florida State, Auburn and LSU, and he had a social media session last week with Alabama coach Nick Saban. Jackson is not close on a decision but he has some things in mind he’ll be looking for in his choice.
“Education-wise obviously,” he said. “Look at which school has my major I want to go to. And how the colleges send how many defensive linemen to the league and stuff like that. The college that can develop NFL talent.”
Jackson is rated a four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 17 strongside defensive end prospect nationally.
Notes:
▪ South Carolina made the top seven with defensive end George Wilson of Virginia Beach. The others on his short list are Arizona State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee and Wake Forest. Some of those cut from his list were Syracuse, Indiana, Michigan State, Georgia Tech and Maryland.
▪ USC is in the top 10 with cornerback Khyree Jackson (6-foot-3, 197 pounds) of East Mississippi Community College. The others are Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Florida State, Maryland, Mississippi State, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Oregon and Louisville. He’s a native of Upper Marlboro, MD. The Gamecocks just offered Jackson last week. Jackson played last season at Fort Scott Community College and had 25 tackles and three interceptions.
▪ Myrtle Beach WR JJ Jones set Aug. 5 for his commitment date. He’s narrowed his list to USC, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi State.
▪ Former South Carolina offensive lineman commitment Issiah Walker of Miami, who signed last December with Florida and enrolled in January, is transferring to Miami.
▪ Country Club Hills, Illinois running back Mar’keise Irving, who had a Gamecocks offer, committed to Minnesota.
▪ Lexington, Kentucky wide receiver Dekel Crowdus, who had a USC offer, committed to Kentucky
▪ The Gamecocks are among the offers for 2023 defensive lineman Kelby Collins (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) of Gardendale, Alabama. Some of his other offers are Auburn, Mississippi State, LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky, UAB, Georgia Tech and Arkansas.