Jackson talks Longhorn commitment

When Texas landed a commitment over the weekend out of Houston (Texas) Westfield's Desmond Jackson, the Longhorns may have gotten another tally on its list of 13 weekend commits but they also got much more. They got a commitment out of one of the top defensive tackle prospects not only in Texas but in the entire nation.

Jackson, a member of the Rivals 250 to watch list, already holds offers from around the country but even as a Texas local, he wasn't a given to land with the Longhorns. He took a junior day visit to Alabama and previously had a junior day visit set up to Oklahoma. After his commitment to Mack Brown though, he is likely done with the process and is glad to get things out of the way.

"I wanted to focus on my senior season," Jackson said. "It would be best for me to commit early and get it out of the way and focus on having a better season. I wanted to focus on getting healthy, lifting weights and having a great senior year."

After his junior day visit to Austin last weekend, Jackson had little doubt that it was the right place for him and neither did the Texas coaching staff.

"Coach Brown was pretty psyched about it," he said. "The whole time he was pretty happy about it. I was talking to coaches and it felt like a family atmosphere to me. I liked Alabama as well but I know Texas like the back of my hand."

Another factor that Texas was able to impart to Jackson was the perfect fit he will be in the Texas defense, particularly compared to some 3-4 schemes. As a smaller, more athletic defender, Jackson will be able to showcase that ability effectively under Will Muschamp.

"I will be able to fit into the Texas defense a little better," he said. "Running the 4-3, I would do well in their system. They like athletic guys in the middle but I could also play defensive end too if they needed me to."

Jackson showcased that athleticism with a performance at the US Army All-American Combine that landed him on the All-Combine team defensively. Jackson isn't ready to rest on his laurels though. The work has just begun.

"My dad told me it was time to go to work," he said. "He is about to put me on a plan to get faster and stronger. My mom was happy to get my decision over with. They told me no matter where I went they would be the happiest parents in the world."

Already Jackson bench presses 400 pounds and squats 525 so he'll be able to focus some of his energy on recruiting as well, recruiting for Texas.

"I will definitely be working to get some other guys to Texas. I am working on my teammate (Christian Jones) to join me as well if he gets that Texas offer. I want him to go wherever the best situation is for him. I don't know about official visits anywhere else. I'm pretty sure though that I'm done."