2018 Rivals250 WR Jalen Preston confirms LSU, Aggies among leaders

Jalen Preston has been near the top of a very talented list of 2018 Texas wide receivers for some time and as spring approaches, he’s starting to think more seriously about shaping up a list of his own.

“My goal is to get to a top-five or top-eight,” he said.

Two of the teams he said are probable locks in that group are LSU and Texas A&M. The Tigers and Aggies are part of a shortlist that includes Georgia and Texas as schools he’d like to make appearances at during upcoming junior days.

Preston said that on LSU’s end, he’s been in contact most with wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, and has a positive take on the direction of the team headed into next season.

“I think the program is looking great right now,” he said. “Now that everything is stable there, I haven’t had a chance to talk to (Ed Orgeron) yet, but they’re going to be a player - they’re real good. They just want to get me down there to that junior day.”

As far as the Aggies go, he’s liked the personal approach the staff has taken in his recruitment.

“I’ve been talking with Coach (Aaron) Moorehead,” he said. “He’s actually been trying to get to some of my basketball games, but I have a real strong relationship with him.”

On Indiana, who gave Preston his latest offer

“(Grant Heard) offered me, he went to Indiana,” he said. “He said they’re trying to bring in a group of great receivers so he offered me and Al’Vonte (Woodard) too, so that’s what he was telling me.”

“Our offensive lineman Mackenzie (Nworah) went there last year and Alfred Bryant is going up there this year,” he said. “I’ve talked to Alfred about (IU), but he hasn’t said anything about the program, he was just saying he’s trying to build it up.”

Preston’s quick take on Texas

“Coach (Tom) Herman is going to turn the team around,” he said. “They had an alright year last year, but I think Coach Herman is just a great coach and knows how to win.”

Preston is a thicker prospect for a wide receiver, but he’s capable of making the acrobatic catch when needed. His physical potential is what has caught the eye of many programs, but his attendance at campus events over the coming weeks is those programs’ best chance at making an impression on him.

Otherwise, things have been a little spotty as far as other interested programs separating themselves from each other. Oklahoma has been a long-time fixture in things, while Michigan has been a less frequent caller as of late. Preston said he’s looking to tighten up his list of top teams, but there is still an opportunity for a few others to wiggle their way into things. He told Rivals.com at the Under Armour Future 50 event that he’s still hoping for offers from Alabama, Florida, and Oregon.