Louisiana receiver Tre Jackson commits to USC

As his father Jack did at Florida in the 1990s, wide receiver Tre Jackson of Baton Rouge, La., will play college football under Steve Spurrier.

Jackson on Saturday night announced a commitment to the Gamecocks over Oklahoma and North Carolina. His father also played receiver for Spurrier’s Gators.

“He’s excited for me but he wanted me to make the decision that was best for me,” Jackson said. “He told me it was up to me. I had to choose a school and South Carolina was the choice for me.”

Jackson (5-10, 170) is USC’s eighth commitment for the 2016 class and second wide receiver. He was at the Gamecock Showcase last month.

“I felt like it was time for me to make my decision and I felt like they had the right fit for me as far as academics, a plan 40 years from now and how I fit in their offense and how I fit on the team,” Jackson said. “You can just look at (Spurrier’s) track record, the people he puts in the NFL. But not even that, he shows me the people he’s helped personally and what they do in life, getting them on the next level and make money outside of football, after football and after they get their degree.”

Jackson also plays defensive back, but receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. was his primary recruiter and has made it clear to him they want him in a position to have the football, much as they did with former Gamecock star Ace Sanders. Jackson set a record at University Laboratory School last season for receptions and receiving yardage.

“I like getting deep down the field and expanding the field and making touchdowns,” he said. “That’s pretty much what I do on the field.”

Jackson might return for Friday’s pool party that USC is holding for prospects.

He is a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports’ Composite rating that factors in all networks.

This story was originally published July 18, 2015 at 10:24 PM.