Here how West Orange QB Trever Jackson's recruiting drastically changed the last few weeks
WINTER GARDEN — Trever Jackson was getting closer to a decision.
The West Orange rising senior quarterback had his handful of college offers and released a top five (Pittsburgh, Indiana, Appalachian State, FAU, Tulane) in late March.
But in the span of a few weeks, Jackson has become one of the hottest class of 2024 players in the state and his recruiting basically has reset as a result.
“It’s real late for the ’24 (quarterbacks to be getting offers),” Jackson said. “It’s last second. But it’s been a blessing. It’s been a journey.”
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Colleges like to have their quarterback position settled as soon as possible. They prefer not to start their evaluations in April or May on a quarterback who will sign in December.
So why have Texas A&M, Houston, Penn State, West Virginia and Boston College all offered since April 18?
Because the 6-foot-2½, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback with a big arm and even bigger personality put on a show on the camp circuit.
“He went to the Rivals camp in Miami and won MVP,” West Orange coach Geno Thompson said. “He goes to the Elite 11 (Regionals) and wins MVP. Wherever he goes, he’s dominated the competition. I think that’s what helped project him as far as getting eyes on him. So, they’re going, ‘Who’s this kid from Orlando?’ Then they check the film and it’s like, “Wow!”
Jackson is trying to take everything in stride. He already was hoping a few more offers would come during the spring. But he wasn’t expecting this kind of attention.
“A&M, the SEC. That made me pause for a minute,” Jackson said. “Penn State made me pause for a minute. I was like, ‘Man, I used to watch them on TV.’”
Jackson said he plans to take official visits to at least three of the schools who have offered in the past few weeks: Texas A&M, Penn State and West Virginia. He’s not closing the door on the Group of 5 programs that have offered, but those schools are facing an uphill battle with the number of Power 5 schools who are pursuing him.
“It’s really been big,” Jackson said. “It for sure changed things. Everything will settle down after the spring, so I can take my officials.”
Wherever Jackson ends up, Thompson said they’ll be getting a player with all the on-field traits as well as off-field intangibles programs covet.
“Trever has a huge ceiling,” Thompson said. “Powerful, dynamic arm. His biggest skill set is his leadership in the locker room. Kids follow him.
“He’s charismatic and he’s going to do very well at the collegiate level.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: QB Trever Jackson's recruiting changed drastically the past few weeks
