The goal is simple in his eyes, Adoree' Jackson wants to be known as one of the nation's premier players. Regardless of the position. Given the never-ending hype surrounding him, it appears as if the junior from Gardena (CA) Serra is well on his way to accomplishing the goal and earning the distinction.
In the most recent edition of the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Jackson moved up on the list and is the country's No. 12 player overall. Not surprisingly, college coaches and scouts alike are enamored with the 5-foot-11 and 185-pound cornerback, who has close to 30 scholarship offers on the table.
“It's part confidence, part desire, I want to be the best. I'm competitive, not many people have the drive as me, that's what sets me apart from a lot of athletes,'' Jackson said. “Everyone thinks we're a bunch of pretty boys from here in Hollywood, I want to show people how we get down in Los Angeles.''
Powerhouse programs from all over are well aware of what Jackson brings to the table. Florida, LSU, Michigan and Texas A&M are among those who have offered and must be considered major players at this stage of the game. Notre Dame is another favorite. Closer to home, USC and UCLA are in the mix.
“I like Notre Dame, the coaching staff is recruiting me at receiver,'' Jackson said. “I want to play on both sides of the ball, it's nice having options. I see myself as a corner at the next level though.''
You can't count out the Trojans. They are in the running for a commitment from him. “USC has a lot of tradition, it's a great school,'' Jackson said. “Another thing is, a lot players from my high school have played for the Trojans in the past, I talk to them all the time. I have a good feeling about USC.''
The Bruins could emerge as legitimate threat to the other schools recruiting him. “I talk with UCLA all of the time,'' Jackson said. “The coaching staff is great for the Bruins, especially Jim Mora. He is an NFL guy, a defensive coach. You want an experienced guy like that helping you in college.''
Oregon and Florida State offered him about a week ago, on March 10 to be exact.
A decision about his college will not be made anytime soon. Plans are in the works, however, for Jackson to cut down his list of potential suitors to 10 teams at some point within the next month.
In the meantime, the goal is to be considered as one of the business at his position for the Class of 2014. Jackson is the nation's No. 3 player at his spot on the field in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, behind peers Marlon Humphrey of Birmingham (AL) and Tony Brown of Beaumont (TX) Ozen.
It could be a mere matter of time before Jackson challenges his counterparts for top billing. Beyond that, his sights are set on his name being mentioned in the same sentence as the country's best.
“I'm a five-star recruit, yes, but it doesn't mean that I'm not hungry,'' Jackson said. “I have a lot to prove still and that's done on the field. It's time for my game to do the rest of the talking for me."
Sean Ceglinsky has covered prep and college sports on the West Coast for the better part of the past 15-plus years. Follow him on twitter: @SeanCeglinsky
- Sean Ceglinsky
- UCLA Insider - Bruin247