Solomon Patton and Loucheiz Purifoy have both shown huge playmaking ability at Florida but if the Gators can add Adoree’ Jackson (5-10, 172, Gardena, CA Junipero Serra) to their recruiting class of 2014, they might end up with a playmaker on both sides of the ball.
After receiving a visit from Florida secondary coach Travaris Robinson last week, Jackson said the Gators see him as a player who can impact games both offensively and defensively.
“Coach Robinson tells me he wants me to play both ways which is something I really want to do,” Jackson said. “I don’t want to just be a corner or receiver. I think I can make plays on both sides of the field.”
The visit between Robinson and Jackson went by far too quickly, but it left a lasting impression on Jackson.
“Coach T-Rob came by to see me last Thursday for a minute,” Jackson said. “I didn’t get to see him much because I was in a homecoming assembly but it was nice to know that he came all the way out here from Florida to see me just for a minute.”
Even though Robinson didn’t get the chance to talk to Jackson last week the communication between the two has been good so far during the recruiting process.
Jackson is a two-sport star who also stars in track and field, which could be a real plus for the Gators, who won the NCAA outdoor track and field championship the last two years. Jackson is also being heavily recruited heavily by Florida’s long jump coach as well and the communication there is great as well.
“I talk to Florida pretty often,” Jackson said. “I usually talk to T-Rob the most and sometimes Coach Muschamp. I talk to coach (Nic) Peterson, the long jump coach from Florida, a lot, too. Both of them just tell me how Florida is the place for me.”
Florida had a chance to impress Jackson when he was in town for Friday Night Lights in July and the Gators will get another opportunity to impress not only Jackson but his parents in the coming months when the family returns to Gainesville.
“I don’t think I’ll take an official but I’ll take an unofficial or two to Florida,” Jackson said. “Me and my parents are trying to work it out so I come back for the FSU game with them but if not then we will visit when I’m down there for the Under Armour game.”
With two officials down Jackson is now looking ahead to his other officials as he tries to find a leader in his recruitment.
“I have taken officials to LSU and Oklahoma so far,” Jackson said. “Florida State and Oregon are two schools that I may take officials too next. Right now everyone is even nobody is standing out to me as far as a leader.”