Take Two: Can Ole Miss keep McKinnley Jackson in state?
Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling an issue in the college football landscape. Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com national recruiting director Mike Farrell and an expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites or a regional analyst.
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THE STORYLINE
McKinnley Jackson is one of the top defensive tackles nationally and his recruitment has taken many interesting twists and turns over the last year.
The four-star from George County, Miss., was committed to LSU early on but backed off that pledge. Ole Miss became a serious contender and the Rebels continue to be one of the frontrunners. Auburn, Texas A&M and others are trying to stay involved with the former five-star recruit.
And then there is Alabama. Jackson was in Tuscaloosa this past weekend as the Crimson Tide dismantled Ole Miss. The four-star defensive tackle has become a major target for Alabama in this class.
However, Jackson still got to see the Rebels in person, got the chance to see just how needed he is on that Ole Miss defensive line and he has an outstanding relationship with coach Matt Luke.
Can Jackson say no to Alabama and others and yes to Ole Miss or will the Crimson Tide be able to sway his decision as he inches closer to a decision?
FIRST TAKE: Chad Simmons, Southeast analyst
“I still think the sense is he stays in-state just based on the feedback and what I’ve gotten. Ole Miss is still in a good spot with him if there is one since he’s an old LSU commit, but he backed out of that. Definitely Alabama is involved, LSU is involved and somewhat of a sleeper in this is Texas A&M. He’s been there a couple times as well. Auburn is in there, too.
"Right now, the consensus is Alabama and Ole Miss are the two up there and then all the other ones still involved. I do think Ole Miss leads because he an in-state kid, Matt Luke is from his part of the state and they relate well to each other."
SECOND TAKE: Mike Farrell, National recruiting director
“He can say no to Alabama and Ole Miss is still the team to beat. Alabama and LSU didn’t recruit him as hard as Ole Miss did, and so Ole Miss made up a ton of ground over the summer and it has the momentum going into his decision. That would be a huge get to keep a kid like that in the state.”