BRADENTON, FLA -- J.C. Jackson is shaping up to have one of the more interesting recruitments in the class of 2014. Out of Immokalee (Fla.) High School, Jackson holds double-digit scholarship offers. The star defensive back and receiver has been committed to Florida State for more than a year, but seems to delight in playing the recruiting game, openly discussing a potential decommitment to flip to the rival Florida Gators. That hasn't happened yet, despite a recent visit to Florida for the spring game. Jackson is a consensus four-star recruit.
I spoke with Jackson at the IMG 7-on-7 Southeast Regional Championship.
"Yeah," Jackson said, when asked if he is still committed to Florida State. Jackson then said that he doesn't want to make a final decision until National Signing Day.
"That's his stuff (pointing to a teammate)," he said when asked why he was wearing Florida Gators socks and shorts at the event. "I like the colors, though. These are my favorite colors," Jackson added.
Jackson visited the Florida Gators recently for UF's spring game. When asked about Florida, however, he wasn't all that certain.
"I don't know where they're at; they're one of my choices, though," Jackson said.
"[Florida] and [Florida State] are even," Jackson said. "But Florida State is leading, since I'm still committed."
When asked what he likes about Florida, Jackson opened up a bit.
"The school, man. Just the school, the SEC, a lot of talent in the league and the tradition. I love the tradition of Florida," Jackson said.
Both Florida and Florida State are recruiting Jackson as a defensive back, and he says that is his preferred position. That's significant, as Jackson is also quite good with the ball in his hands as a receiver.
Florida State is in an interesting position of having a "commitment" openly visit and flirt with another school.
"They tell me they hope I don't go to Florida. They want to make sure that I'm still committed to them," Jackson said. Jackson said he was not sure what, if anything, would make him decommit.
Jackson said that there are not any other schools seriously in the mix, but then said that Georgia was in the mix. Jackson said that his cousin plays for Georgia, but could not remember who, stating that it was "back in the day." He indicated that he wants to take an official visit to Georgia along with Florida and Florida State.
Jackson is being recruited by Travaris Robinson of Florida, Lawrence Dawsey of Florida State and by Kirk Olivadotti of Georgia.