Jackson adds two more offers
Recruiting is going well for Blake Jackson and Thursday was another good day since a coach from Miami watched him practice, Arkansas talked with him and Arizona and Purdue offered.
The Scottsdale (Ariz.) Scottsdale C.C. couldn't imagine things being much better.
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So far, Arizona, Arkansas, Miami, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Texas Tech and Toledo have offered the 6-foot-4, 235-pound prospect who said he doesn't plan to make his decision until he takes some official visits in the fall.
That means even more top programs have time to get involved with Jackson throughout the summer.
"It's not so much waiting for more offers, all the schools I have now are great fits for me, but it's more about getting out to the schools and seeing what's the best fit for me," Jackson said.
"If I could take all five visits in the next week I'd take them and make my decision sooner. That's not possible so I'm going to have to wait."
Jackson is highly interested in Miami because of the Hurricanes' success with tight ends through the years. He knows the history but also wants to see how first-year coach Al Golden and his staff utilize that spot in the new offense.
"I have a really good feeling with Miami," Jackson said. "I like Miami a lot. I'm building a better relationship with Miami and talking to the tight ends coach a lot so it's going well.
"It's definitely a big factor being Tight End U. I'm looking at the offense and it's not the same staff so I really have to listen to how they're going to use me in the offense and I have to pick the right school that's the best fit for me."
The Arizona and Purdue offers are big but for different reasons. Jackson has always liked the Wildcats being an in-state prospect and he likes the academic and athletic mix with the Boilermakers. Both programs are in contention.
"I had a really good feeling about Arizona when I met their coach, coach (Tim) Kish," Jackson said. "I always liked U of A so it was definitely exciting to get that offer. I will take a visit there and I want to learn more and more about them.
"I've been talking to Purdue for the last couple weeks. I'm talking to the coaches and I finally got the news from Purdue. It's a great academic school and they play really good football at Purdue so I'm interested in them as well."
Jackson likes the way Arkansas' coaching staff is handling his recruitment. The Razorbacks' coaches are making it clear they want Jackson in their class but they're not pushing for a commitment and are letting him take his time through the process.
"They're definitely coming in heavy and being really respectful about me taking the time I need in this process and not dragging it out too long but not rushing a decision, either," Jackson said. "I'm in very good standing with Arkansas."