Interview: 3-Star California 2018 DE Brennan Jackson Updates Recruiting Previewing Arizona Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

After an explosive junior campaign, Class of 2018 defensive end/tight end Brennan Jackson has turned into one of the hottest recruits in the Golden State. College coaches across the country are lining up extending scholarship offers with newcomers to his talents showing interest that could easily turn his 10 scholarship offer list to 20 in the coming weeks. Another school that could be offering very soon is Arizona. The Wildcats are hosting the Temecula area talent for an unofficial visit on Saturday.

The recruiting fervor over Jackson came after a breakout 2016 season with Great Oak High School. Jackson, playing at roughly 6-4, 220, had his mailing address listed as “the opposition’s backfield” after securing 88 tackles, 37 solo, 23 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Recognition came as a second team All-Southwestern League performer while earning Wolfpack team Defensive Lineman of the Year MVP honors.

As the spring heated up, so did the recruiting process for the three-star playmaker. The 10 schools to offer includes Cal, San Diego State, Princeton, New Mexico, Washington State, Iowa State, Hawaii, UNLV, Navy, and Colorado State. The list of interested spans UCLA, Colorado, Yale, Boise State, Utah, Duke, and Oregon State.

With Jackson off to visit another Pac-12 powerhouse, I sat down with the now 6-4, 235 pound, growing talent getting the inside scoop on his recruiting process, a preview to his visit with the Wildcats, and an update on his off-season workouts.

Interview

Brennan, you specialized in terrorizing opposing offenses in the backfield last season. Do the coaches call a lot of stunts and blitzes for you and the defense in the front seven?

“In our scheme, we like to run more of a linebacker makes the play defense. Funny, I ended up making plays last year out of sheer will. Our coaches made some changes during the season. We had bigger guys up front in 2015. When I came in we started running stunts with me going into the B gap or off the edge. I specialized in pass rush and chasing down plays from behind.”

Who was the toughest tackle or running back you went up against last season?

“I’d say the toughest was Olita Palmer from Murrieta Valley. He was a tough running back to bring down. He ran low to the ground. The best was probably Khalil Shakir from Vista Murrieta. He was shifty and has good size.”

What was one area of your game that really improved last season?

“The biggest area that improved was my tackling in the open. That was one of my weak points from my freshman year. I have always been a good pass rusher. My tackling in the backfield and in the open field improved a lot last season.”

How did the rest of your game get better last season?

“I had great mentors coming in. I learned a lot from Seth Knowlton. He is at BYU now. He taught me a lot about hand placement. He was very strong. He showed me good places to shoot my hands to get off linemen. My play on offensive side helped too. My speed came from playing offense. Another part that helped was doing linebacker drills and speed training. I worked on my quickness off the ball. That helped up front. Most lineman are not that fast.”

What are you working on this spring and summer for your senior year?

“During my senior year I will be playing the rush position and standing up on the outside. We are going to run a 4-2 defense. My coach wants me to cover too. I have been playing 7v7 to get my coverage skills up. At the Nike Opening and Rivals Three Stripe camps, I did those to help me stay consist with my defensive line work. The biggest thing I have done so far this off-season is play 7v7.”

Which 7v7 team is your squad?

“Ground Zero.”

Are you covering at linebacker and playing some tight end and/or receiver for Ground Zero?

“With Ground Zero, I’m playing linebacker in the middle covering running backs. In a five-receiver set, I’m lining up against the slot receiver. In the red zone, I drop back into a zone. I have not run much offense with them. Just working on coverage.

Have you maxed out in the weight room this spring?

“We have not maxed out yet. That is coming up in May. We have a max week then. I’m still building up from last year.”

What are you aiming for during max week?

“I want my bench over 270 pounds, my power clean around 260-265, and my squat around 375.”

You mentioned both of the camps you attended, how did the camps go?

“They went really well. Both camps had a lot of great competition. I held my own. The one-on-ones were great. I competed against a lot of top talent. I went up against (four-star) offensive lineman Tommy Brown. I went against him twice and beat him twice.”

Are you planning on camping with any colleges this spring?

“As of right now I’m not planning on attending any. I’m focused on taking visits to schools. I don’t want to risk injury at any of the camps.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“UCLA, Arizona, Colorado, Yale, Wyoming, Boise State, Utah, Duke, and Oregon State.”

How many offers do you have now?

“Ten.”

Which schools have you visited so far?

“San Diego State, UNLV, Washington State, UCLA, and USC.”

Which visit was your most recent?

“I went to UCLA last weekend.”

How did your visit to UCLA go?

“I watched their practice and talked to their defensive line coach, Coach (Angus) McClure, and their linebackers coach, Coach (Scott) White. They had some great competition going on out there. The coaches talked to me about their new facilities and I watched a video.”

How did your visit to Washington State go?

“I watched one of their practices and took a tour of the campus. We were up there for two days. It was a great visit. I spoke with the staff, saw the campus, and toured the facilities.”

You are visiting Arizona on Saturday, what has you excited about that visit?

“Arizona came by our school last week. They seemed really interested in me and asked me to visit. I have not been to an Arizona school yet. We are driving there. I’m excited to see parts of the state on the drive to the campus. I’m excited to see their facilities, the campus, and the stadium. I’m excited to meet the coaching staff. I am looking forward to that.”

Do you have any other planned visits on the schedule?

“I’m hoping to take visits to Colorado State and Colorado. Other visits will come if a school asks me to come visit. Hopefully I will visit Duke during the summer.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“My GPA is a 3.96.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took both during my sophomore year. I received a 27 on the ACT and a 1220 on the SAT, the new one.”

What do you do for fun away from working out and football related activities?

(Laughs) “I only do football related activities. My friends and I play pickup basketball at a local park. I play 7v7 with the team. I like going out to eat.”

Is there a player at the NFL or college level you watch to pick up tricks of the trade for your position?

“Yes. There are two players. One I recently started watching is Takkarist McKinley from UCLA (2017 first round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons). He plays a lot like me. He is fast and violent. It was cool watching him in person. Another is Su’a Craven (USC – Washington Redskins). I knew his brother in grade school. He has been a role model for me.”

Brennan, thanks for your time today and good luck with your visit to Arizona on Saturday.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: BeRecruited; No. 88 Brennan Jackson seals off the edge

Photo credit: Jackson family; Brennan Jackson at San Diego State

Photo credit:  Jackson family; Brennan Jackson at Washington State