California 2016 4-Star DB/ATH Lamar Jackson Breaks Top 3 and Silent Commit News

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Watching Franklin High School Class of 2016 athlete Lamar Jackson play, one gets the feeling that he can do anything he wants on the gridiron. Jackson has lined up at safety, cornerback, running back, and quarterback finishing his senior season as the Wildcats starter under center. If one wanted to stretch his potential at the next level, he could easily add wide receiver, rover, or even outside linebacker to the myriad of possibilities he can bring to a given program.

College coaches along with recruiting services love his skill sets and athleticism. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 5 safety in the nation while Rivals has him as the best in his class at No. 1. The odd thing is, he may end up playing corner at the next level, a position he spent most of his time until Game 8 in 2015 against Jesuit when he became the team’s starting signal caller. Collegiate recruiters near and far have offered the California talent totaling 25 just ahead of National Signing Day making him an overall “can’t miss” prospect.

Jackson’s senior stats are split between his roles on offense and defense and with the all too familiar theme with highly respected high school and college players – opposing offenses just go the other way. The 6’2”, 205 pound, Elk Grove area talent passed for 544 yards with four touchdowns in just five games played but ran for 664 yards off 91 carries with another nine scores. On defense he got very few opportunities to rack up stats coming up with 28 tackles but showed off his cover skills to the delight of fans and college coaches.

Jackson narrowed down his large list of offers taking five official visits all before Thanksgiving heading to Arizona on Sept. 18, Arizona State on Sept. 25, Utah on Oct. 9, Michigan on Oct. 16, and Nebraska on Nov. 6. The fever pitch for the Under Armour All-American Game selection is growing among the fan bases with UCLA and USC pushing hard hoping to land his signed letter of intent on National Signing Day. The fly in the ointment, the deal is already done.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Jackson for a very informative interview where he reveals his Top 3 schools, talks about his commitment video coming out in conjunction with the Bleacher Report, and announces he is a silent commit.

Interview

Lamar, you had another outstanding season becoming an Under Armour All-American and played on both sides of the ball. Even though you are being sought out to play in the secondary, which position do you like better, quarterback or safety?

“Personally, I like playing on offense more, but that is not something I want to pursue in college. I’m better off at safety or corner.”

After playing some quarterback is it easier for you to read plays and get an idea of what the opposing quarterback is trying to do having taken as many snaps as you have and having to read defenses in your own offense?

“Yeah, it helps a lot. It has helped with my coverage reading and my IQ of the game. Not in a dramatic way but it helps some.”

You played a lot of corner your senior year but are listed at safety with most recruiting services-

“Yeah, they have me highly ranked so I did not contest it.”

You are listed with just 28 stops, did the opposition run away from you a lot during your senior campaign?

“Yeah pretty much. I got about a handful of opportunities in each game to do something. By the end of the season I played running back and cornerback but I became the starting quarterback after our starter broke his leg. After that I went straight to offense and did not play defense.”

On defense, from your junior to senior year what were some of the strides you made on the field becoming a better player?

“My attitude about the game got better and being smarter. I improved on the little things and got better as an individual with my on the field decision making. I learned how to make my presence be felt on the field. Coach (Mike) Johnson made me the lead guy to go get the ball. I was all over the place.”

Which position are most of the colleges recruiting you to play?

“Boundary safety or boundary corner.”

What are your strengths on the field at corner?

“In our defensive scheme we run a Bear front. I’m a good cover guy and I can come up and make tackles. I specialize in making plays.”

I’m assuming the same is pretty much true for you at safety?

“Yeah, safety is easier for me. I can sit back and read the offense. I don’t have to guess routes. I can simplify things and just attack the ball.”

You have some pep in your step. What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve turned in at a camp?

“A 4.45 at a Nike camp.”

Nice. You went on official visits to Arizona on Sept. 18, Arizona State on Sept. 25, Utah on Oct. 9, Michigan on Oct. 16, and Nebraska on Nov. 6. How did your visit to Nebraska go for you?

“It went good. I liked it. The visit opened up my eyes a lot. It took me by surprise coming from California to the Midwest. The culture, fan base, and Big Ten fan base were all great.”

What position is Nebraska recruiting you to play?

“Boundary corner.”

How about your trip to Arizona State? How did that go?

“It went well too. ASU is a good school. I think they are going in the right direction. They have great people there and great weather. I liked ASU a lot.”

What about Arizona?

“It was good. I like the coaches. The changes on the staff have opened my eyes a little. Arizona is a great place with great facilities. Again, the weather is great and I had a great feeling overall there.”

Have you released your Top 3 yet?

“Those are my Top 3, Nebraska, Arizona State, and Arizona.”

When are you officially announcing your decision?

“The day before National Singing Day (Feb. 2).”

How are you making your announcement?

“I’m releasing a video with The Bleacher Report.”

What time on Feb. 2 are you dropping the video?

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll tweet it out when I know.”

How long is the video?

“I’m not sure. I’m guessing about four minutes. We recorded last week and finished it over the weekend.”

Without giving anything away, can you give us a little preview of what to expect when the video is released?

“I created something different. I think it’s pretty funny and a great short movie.”

Since you’ve cut the video with your final decision, does the school that you will commit to know that you are committing to them?

“Yes, they know.”

Without giving anything away, what was the reaction of the coaches when you committed?

“Everyone was really excited. The coaching staff was really excited. They showed me the love.”

For the fan base that is getting your commitment, what kind of player are they getting once you step foot on campus?

“I’m the type of player coming in ready to make an impact as soon as possible. I have swagger, great play making ability, and overall confidence.”

Was your family excited with your commitment?

“They’re all excited for me.”

Now that your decision is made but not made to the public, are there any schools pushing hard trying to land you before NSD?

“The two So. Cal schools (UCLA and USC) are pushing hard.”

Lamar, thanks for taking the time to do the interview today. I can’t wait to see the video. Good luck. I hope the video does well.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; Lamar Jackson at a Nike camp.

Photo credit: twitter.com; Lamar Jackson at Under Armour All-American Game.