Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
C-M’s Jackson going to Under Armour game
One of the top rising seniors in Florida will end his high school career playing against some of the top players in the nation.
Chaminade-Madonna defensive lineman Kenyatta Jackson Jr. announced on Tuesday that he accepted an invitation to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game. He is the first Broward or Palm Beach county player to accept an invitation to the all-star game.
“It feels great,” Jackson said. “Just blessed to be an All American.”
Jackson, who participated in Sunday’s Under Armour Camp Series in Miami on Sunday, is one of the first South Florida players to announce his intention to play in an All-American game. American Heritage defensive back Earl Little Jr. is slated to play in the 2022 All-American Bowl, another prestigious all-star game, and TRU Prep Academy’s Brandon Inniss plans to play in the 2023 All-American Bowl.
“I think [playing in the All-America Game is] great,” Jackson said. “It’s just going to make me better for the next level.”
Jackson, a second-team All-County pick as a junior, had a strong year for the Lions. He had 16 tackles, five sacks and three tackles for loss in just five games.
Jackson is a highly coveted prospect. He is rated a four-star prospect, the No. 6 weak-side defensive end and No. 85 player in his class in 247 Sports’ composite rankings. He said he wants to commit during his senior year.
Jackson has offers from Clemson, Florida, Miami, Ohio State and more. He narrowed his choices down to 12 in June.
Like all high school prospects, Jackson has had a wrench thrown in his recruitment process due to the coronavirus pandemic. College teams are in an ongoing recruiting dead period due to the pandemic, preventing face-to-face contact between coaches and recruits and disallowing official visits to campuses.
“It’s pretty frustrating but we’re taking it step by step,” Jackson said. “I understand it’s because of COVID, but hopefully, they open up and I’ll start taking my visits then.”
Jackson said he wants to visit Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, USC, Oregon, Louisville and more schools once the dead period ends.
“It’s a big difference because you see the campus online and virtually,” Jackson said. “But I want to feel the atmosphere of the campus in person. So it means a lot.”