The Florida Gators only signed one tight end in the 2017 class after Zech Byrd didn’t sign with the Gators on signing day.
That means the Gators are looking to add at least one in this year’s class and on Saturday tight end Jarrett Jackson (6-4, 257, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. High) visited Florida.
“The visit went well, just a couple of things that I’m waiting to find out about,” Jackson said of his Florida visit. “It went great overall but there’s still some question about where I’m going to play at in college. I got to learn a little bit about the school, though.”
Jackson had the opportunity to watch the Gators go through spring practice and he noticed that nobody of his size is currently on the Florida roster at his position.
“I had a great time watching practice, it was fast-tempo,” he said of Florida’s practice. “Practice was probably the best part, they have a lot of talent and a great coaching staff. I was focusing on the tight end position, I don’t really see any big tight end there.”
Despite being considered a tight end, there’s still some question as to where Jackson will play in college but he hopes to prove that he’s a tight end this summer.
“When they offered me, they offered me at tight end and I’m focused on tight end right now,” Jackson said. “Hopefully that’s what they want me at in the future. I’ll be back up there in the summer for camp so I’m going to work out at tight end.”
Tight ends coach Greg Nord spoke to Jackson about how he would be a great fit for Florida at the tight end position.
“I talked with Coach Nord about everything,” he said. “He said that they don’t really have a big Y and that’s what they want. Coach Nord was just telling me to keep doing what I’m doing and not to focus too much on the recruiting process or what others say.”
Two other Florida assistant coaches are handling Jackson’s recruitment and they have a message for the prospect.
“Coach [Doug] Nussmeier and Coach JaJuan Seider are the recruiters for my area,” Jackson said when asked who was his main recruiters. “Coach Seider is telling me to keep doing what I’m doing and to keep grinding. I told him that I want to play tight end.”
The tight end is in no rush to make a college decision but he says that Florida is in good shape with him but he still wants an answer on his position.
“Florida is one of the schools that is kind of sticking out for me,” he said. “I just need to get an answer on where they see me playing at in college.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Jackson plays defensive line and tight end in college but he’s set on being on the offensive side of the ball in college. Camp this summer will be a chance for Jackson to prove himself at the position.