Signee Jackson asks to be released

Antione Jackson won’t be headed to Coral Gables, after all.

The former Dillard High star has asked to be released from the National Letter of Intent that he signed in December, a source told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Jackson was originally a 2024 prospect but reclassified to the 2023 class in order to sign with the Miami Hurricanes sooner. Late in his recruitment, he considered East Carolina and had a Pirates hat on his table on the day he signed with UM.

“It was in the making,” Jackson told the Sun Sentinel when he signed in December. “I was really about to go [to ECU], I’m not going to lie to you. But I sat down, prayed on everything and this is my dream school. I’m staying at Miami.”

Jackson was a standout at Dillard. He was rated a four-star prospect and the No. 241 player in the 2023 class in 247Sports’ composite rankings. Jackson had 27 tackles, two forced fumbles, two touchdowns, nine pass breakups and a punt block for the Panthers last season, earning All-County first-team honors from the Sun Sentinel.

Players rarely ask for releases from their letters of intent, though most requests are granted.

Jackson’s departure thins Miami’s incoming secondary class. The Hurricanes still have incoming freshmen Damari Brown and Robert Stafford, as well as transfers Davonte Brown and Terry Roberts.

The news of Jackson leaving the Hurricanes comes shortly after news of who Jackson’s defensive coordinator would have been next season. Miami is expected to hire former Marshall defensive coordinator Lance Guidry as its new defensive coordinator.

JOHN MCCALL/SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL Dillard’s Antione Jackson and his teammates run onto the field for their game against St. Thomas Aquinas on Oct. 7 in Fort Lauderdale. Jackson, who signed with Miami in December, has asked to be released from his letter of intent.