Texarkana Gazette

Ready to Geaux

Pleasant Grove's Landon Jackson staying focused after committing to LSU

- By Earl Gill

TEXARKANA, Texas — Pleasant Grove’s Landon Jackson is a twotime Class 4A Division II state champion, Under Armour All-American and also one of the top defensive prospects in the class of 2021 in the country.

After Sunday, Jackson is also committed to the defending national champion Louisiana State

University Tigers.

“Being committed takes a lot of stress off of my shoulders,” Jackson said. “Now, I’m able to focus on one school. It’s good to somewhat know a little more of what my future holds.

”There’s a lot to it. I have a really good relationsh­ip with the entire coaching staff. Just the way they’re able to produce defensive linemen is what attracted me to them. This past draft is a good enough reason for me, they had 14 guys selected. The culture around LSU is unbelievab­le. I love the environmen­t and everything that comes with it down there.”

Jackson finished his junior season with 110 tackles, 19 sacks, 29 tackles for loss and 8 pass break-ups. Jackson also led the Hawks to their second consecutiv­e state championsh­ip.

Jackson also credits his support system for guiding him throughout the recruitmen­t process.

“It’s really how I’ve always been,” Jackson said. “I’ve always said if I ever achieved a certain point, I would try to give back as much as possible. I remember being a younger kid, I would love a chance to be around the high school football players. I loved when the football players would come to the elementary school.

“It’s really my parents and my support system at Pleasant

Grove as well.”

Per Gabe Brooks of 247Sports. com evaluation of Jackson, “Has played variety of spots for perennial Texas 4A D-II state title contender, including off-line, standing edge, and traditiona­l end. Provided outstandin­g production for state title team as a junior. Frame potential suggests possibilit­y to fit multiple positions in varying schemes.”

Jackson also plans to early enroll at LSU in January.

“I really want to continue to build our team at Pleasant Grove,” Jackson said. “I want to get our relationsh­ips right this offseason, so hopefully we can go out and win another one.”

 ?? Photo by Hunt Mericer ?? ■ Pleasant Grove Hawks' Landon Jackson (40) and Nick Martin (6) bring down Carthage Bulldogs running back Mason Courtney (2) on October 4, 2019, at Hawk Stadium.
Photo by Hunt Mericer ■ Pleasant Grove Hawks' Landon Jackson (40) and Nick Martin (6) bring down Carthage Bulldogs running back Mason Courtney (2) on October 4, 2019, at Hawk Stadium.

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