Kentucky first to offer 2016 OC

Thanks to his parents catering company, which has been working with the University of Kentucky for years, Class of 2016 offensive center Drake Jackson is no stranger to the ins and outs of the program. But even he was surprised when the Wildcats staff and his parents insisted he come up for a visit this past week.

"They were insistent," the 6-foot-2, 275-pounder said. "They called my mom and my dad and insisted I come. Me, my dad and brother were hanging out and Coach Stoops and Coach Brown came over and after a little bit of talking let me know that they wanted to extend an offer to play at Kentucky."

Jackson, whose sophomore film is just starting to make the rounds, said he was shocked he was offered so early in his career.

"It blew me away because I wasn't expecting it," The Versailles (Ky.) Woodford County prospect said. "It was exciting. After practice I got a chance to talk to Coach Stoops for like half an hour. That was great."

Since camping at Kentucky over the summer Jackson has been in regular contact with offensive line coach John Schlarman. He said the two have already developed quite the bond.

"He's probably my favorite coach right now," Jackson said. "Over the summer he told me to send my film every week and that's what I've been doing. He told me they wanted it multiple times and they told me it's a no-brainer and an offer is well deserved. That's a big compliment for me."

Jackson's father played at Purdue, and his visited the Boilermakers earlier this year. He's also been to games at Kentucky, Ohio State and will visiting Cincinnati for the Louisville game next month. Because of his family ties to the Boilermakers, they'll likely be in the mix going forward.

"I really like the staff up there, too," Jackson said of Purdue." It's somewhere for me to look because that's where my dad played and that means something."

As far as Kentucky grabbing the early lead because it's the hometown school and the first to offer, Jackson said it's a wait-and-see situation.

"It's only 15 minutes from where I live and I grew up a Kentucky fan," he said. "I still do like Louisville, too, I'm not big on the rivalry but we work with both schools so I'm familiar with both. I'm not worried about making a decision or anything like that I was just shocked by the offer and I'm happy to have it."