Chaminade’s Jackson, St. Thomas’ Alters end careers on a high note
Chaminade-Madonna defensive linema Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and St. Thomas Aquinas offensive lineman Dawson Alters had the opportunity to end their high-school careers on a high note.
The two local standouts played in Sunday’s Under Armour All-America Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, getting the chance to face off against some of the nation’s top high-school players.
“It was pretty cool,” Jackson said. “Just blessed that God gave me the ability to play the sport at a high level.”
Jackson made a splash on defense for Team Icon in the nationally televised All-American game. He had at least 3.5 total tackles, including two tackles for loss and an assisted sack.
Alters got into the game on Team Icon’s offensive line, and he had an assisted tackle after his team fumbled.
Jackson has reeled in the accolades following his final season with Chaminade. He was the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Broward County Class 5A-1A co-defensive player of the year (along with teammate Jamaal Johnson). In December, he was named Gatorade’s Florida Player of the Year and MaxPreps’ Florida Player of the Year.
Jackson Is one of the top players in the 2022 class. He is rated a four-star prospect by 247 Sports and listed as the No. 7 edge rusher and
No. 70 player in the 2022 class. Jackson signed with Ohio State, picking the Buckeyes over Alabama, Oklahoma and nearly 30 other programs.
Alters has not earned as many awards as Jackson, but he had a solid career for St. Thomas Aquinas. Alters was a second-team All-County pick as a senior after helping anchor the Raiders’ offensive line during their third straight state-championship run. Alters is committed to Vanderbilt. He picked the
Commodores over offers from several Ivy League schools.
The Chaminade star said the highlight of his experience in Orlando, which included several days of practice with some of the best players in the nation, was the game itself.
“The game, actually,” Jackson said. “Yesterday’s practice was pretty cool. We had a lot of energy. But honestly, the game was ... because it’s our last highschool football game and everyone here is signing.”