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We’re less than a month away from 2018 early signing day, but news dropped of a commitment not one, but two full signing classes away. Stud defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, from Lucedale, Mississippi, near the Alabama border, made his verbal commitment:
Committed pic.twitter.com/D0QY5Dnr0k
— McKinnley Jackson (@MacFresco44) November 28, 2017
Jackson is listed at 6-2, 260 and is already built like a college player, even as a sophomore in high school. This is a big -time recruit, considered a top 50 player nationally in the 2020 signing class. Orgeron’s dedication to building a dominant defensive front continues and newly minted position coach Dennis Johnson adds his first skin on the wall since landing that job.
Here’s some video of Jackson at LSU camp:
Here’s his Sophomore highlight tape:
Jackson is explosive off the ball and really flashes great use of hands in that camp setting. His highlight tape is a bit more mixed, but he’s a young player. Still, it’s pretty easy to see why services are eying him as a potential five star in the 2020 cycle. Here’s LSU recruiting reporter Shea Dixon:
I was at #LSU's summer camp all 3 days and could make the case that McKinnley Jackson was the best player there.
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) November 28, 2017
He's the 2020 class, but this is a massive commitment for the Tigers.
Jackson is LSU’s first commitment for the 2020 class. Remember, both O and LSU GM Austin Thomas share the belief in the importance of pursuing recruits early. Jumping on a top DL that can’t sign for another 25 months, at the earliest, is a big part of their plan.
Can LSU hold on to the commitment? We shall see. Still, it’s great to see the early efforts and resolute dedication to building dominant lines. What the future holds is unknown, but O is loading up this roster.