Antwuan

Jackson

Auburn is out a pair of former four-star recruits as the week draws to a close, with DB Marlon Character Jr. also deciding to try for a fresh start. For his part, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Jackson landed at No. 98 overall on Rivals’ 2016 master list. He ranked as their No. 9 defensive tackle prospect in the class. In March, Auburn DL coach Rodney Garner spoke somewhat critically about his development, saying, “He still has to get a better grasp on the type of effort and execution that it’s going to take to perform at this level.” Unless Jackson downshifts to the FCS or a junior college, he will have to sit out the 2017 season.

“This is so unfair how there blocking me from a school that recruited me out of school. So inconsistent with their transfer restrictions,” he posted. Auburn is restricting Jackson from other SEC programs, Ohio State, Mercer, and Georgia Southern. The defensive lineman could explore the JUCO route for the 2017 season.

Jackson visited the campuses of Ohio State and USC in November, but his visit to Auburn on December 11 swayed him over to the Tigers. Per scout.com, the 6-foot-3, 305-pounder “plays at a high level for four quarters and has that motor you love to see,” which leads him to be a “very disruptive player in the middle of the line of scrimmage” whose “hands are quick, active, and a real weapon.” Both scout.com and ESPN 300 note that Jackson’s a bit undersized at the moment, with ESPN’s scouting department writing that he’ll need to add weight to become a true anchor on the line.

The Buckeyes needed immediate help along the line after losing Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes, Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill. And boy did they get a good one in Jackson, who signed with the Auburn Tigers back in December of 2015 before skipping down to the JUCO level for the 2017 season, is ESPN’s No. 1 overall JUCO prospect. The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder was a top-50 recruit coming out of high school. Jackson, Joey Bosa, Dre’Mont Jones and crew will give Big 10 offenses headaches in 2018.