Florida’s 2023 recruiting class consists of six defensive backs, one of them being Osceola High School’s Ja’Keem Jackson.
The 6-1, 180-pound cornerback signed with the Gators despite a late push from Miami.
“They (Miami) came to my school a lot of times; they did a home-visit too,” Jackson said. “I was still already locked in with Florida, they was just visiting me and trying to persuade me to go to Miami.”
Jackson took visits to Kentucky and Miami after his commitment to Florida on Oct. 2nd, 2022, but says his recruitment never got sticky.
“I already knew, I was just taking all my visits, like make sure Florida was the right place,” Jackson said.
Jackson is relatively new to the cornerback position as he converted from wide receiver during his junior season.
“My junior year, that Summer, I was training with the DB’s cause our receivers weren’t really working after practice,” Jackson said. “I was just with the DB’s getting some work.”
“We used to play games throughout the season, and we used to blow a team out, and I used to say, ‘hey coach, put me in at corner,’ and every time he put me in, I just caught picks and made plays,” Jackson said.
Jackson said he officially made the switch after a 2nd round playoff game against West Orange.
“We had to get another DB in the game, so the coach had picked me,” Jackson said. “I had caught picks and I made a lot of plays. After that game I decided that I’m just going to go ahead and move to corner.”
Jackson never saw himself as an outside cornerback at the next level.
“Nah, I never envisioned it,” Jackson said. “I just did what’s best for me, so I’m glad I made the decision, I’m happy about it.”
The connection Jackson built with Gators’ defensive back coach Corey Raymond was the driving force in his recruitment.
“The trust and everything, and Coach Napier too, we just had a close connection,” Jackson said.
“I can’t wait for him to develop me, and I’m going to see how far imma make it,” Jackson said.
The raw cornerback has a massive ceiling, but has some work to do before he’s ready to make an impact in the SEC.
“I just want to get better technique wise, more disciplined on myself, just learn the playbook and everything and being ready to go,” Jackson said.
Jackson recognizes there’s an opportunity for early playing time, and it’s something the staff has discussed with him throughout this process.
“It’s not going to be easy though, I just got to work, I got to work,” Jackson said.
Luckily for the Gators, Jackson will early enroll and be in Gainesville in January, giving him plenty of time to polish his game before the 2023 season.