Four-star LB seeing interest rise

Brenham (Texas) Blinn College linebacker Princeton Jackson is no stranger to the recruiting process. As a high school senior in 2009, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound defender signed with Iowa State out of Houston Cy Ridge.

Now that his junior college career has almost come to a close, the four-star prospect is about to repeat the entire recruiting process. Things have been a little slow so far this season for Jackson but they are picking up now with coaches out on the road recruiting. A true sophomore at Blinn, he was recently named the SWJCFC Defensive Player of the Year this season. Combined with a strong freshman year, he is starting to see more attention come his way.

"I think I really have a good highlight tape from this year," Jackson said. "A lot of schools have seen it and they've started recruiting me. Southeastern Louisiana and South Carolina State have offered right now. Middle Tennessee is probably going to offer soon too."

Several other programs have also taken notice of Jackson.

"A lot of schools are coming in," he said Wednesday evening. "Utah came by. I talked to Texas Tech today. They came to our practice. North Texas is recruiting me really hard. The whole coaching staff is sending me handwritten letters. They're about to offer pretty soon. Here in about two weeks, it's really going to heat up.

"Nebraska also contacted my head coach. I have to give them a call. I haven't had a chance to yet. I know their linebackers are about to go to the draft after this year and they're looking for a replacement."

Though he originally committed to then Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik while in high school, Jackson did meet with the current Cyclone coach after Chizik left for Auburn. Because of that, he is still considering the school that garnered his signature two years ago.

"After I committed, when Paul Rhoads came (to Iowa State), I had a home visit with him," Jackson said. "We left off on a good note. That's another school I would look into for sure. I like Iowa State. It's got great people, great stadium, great tradition - I still really like that school. I'm also really interested in Nebraska and Kansas State."

However, it is a Pac-10 school that Jackson lists as his current leader.

"Oregon, that's my No. 1 school right now," he said. "Their linebacker corps has a lot of seniors leaving and I feel like I could be an impact player there. I just love the fans there too. I love the school tradition and everything.

"I get letters from them each week. Every week, I get letters from them. I'm waiting on a phone call but their really busy right now getting ready for the National Championship game and everything."

Jackson is also a standout baseball player who played in the outfield for Blinn as a freshman. Though he likely could have had a future in professional baseball, he has decided to concentrate solely on just one sport.

"This is the first time ever that I've had an offseason," he said. "All my life I've played baseball. Now I'm actually going to focus on just football and work on getting bigger and stronger. I have to keep my speed as well. I've actually gotten faster since the summer."

Blinn, ranked No.16 in the country in the latest NJCAA poll, plays No. 4 Arizona Western this Saturday in the Heart of Texas Bowl. Jackson is on track to graduate in May and will have three years to play two.