Jackson to visit three schools

Three high profile members of the new and improved Atlantic Coast Conference are after one of the better defensive backs in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Cornerback Jamar Jackson of Hampton (Va.) Bethel is a 5-foot-8, 163-pound athlete. While his 40-yard dash time of 4.69 seconds may not seem overly impressive, he's one of those players that moves well in pads. He did run the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds at a recent NIKE Camp. What schools does he like?

"I really like Virginia Tech, Virginia and Maryland are up there," said Jackson. "Those three are showing a lot of interest in me and I definitely like their football programs. I'm also impressed with the quality of education at each place. They'll be playing in the new ACC, and that's real good because it can be one of the best conferences out there. I plan on camping at each one of those schools this summer.

"I also like Nebraska and Marshall. Those two schools seem really different. Nebraska has the great tradition but a new coach, and Marshall is the smaller school with a proven coach. But they've shown a lot of interest in me too, so I'll put both of them up there. I just want to play at a high level in college."

What else does he like about the two in-state schools?

"Virginia plays and practices with a lot of intensity," he said. "They're a program that's improving a lot. Virginia Tech has a nice atmosphere and a good coaching staff. They have Chris Ellis and Jimmy Williams, and both of those guys are from Bethel."

Jackson knows what he wants in a college, and he also has a message for schools out there that might be weary of his size.

"I want a good education, college atmosphere, football environment and basically to just feel at home. I know some schools might be thinking that 5-foot-8 or 5-foot-9 isn't too impressive, but a lot of guys my size have moved on to the NFL. Big things come in small packages," he laughed.