Ja'Keem Jackson, Under Armour All-American cornerback, commits to Florida Gators; Could it start hot streak?

A flurry of commitments are expected to come out of the state of Florida this week, and there are rumblings of an impending hot streak for the Florida Gators.

On Thursday evening, Under Armour All-American cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson may have gotten that streak rolling, as he announced his commitment to Florida over fellow finalists Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Penn State and Tennessee. 

For the 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back, out of Osceola High School (Kissimmee), the Gators put themselves on top with a successful visit during their June camp.

'It was when I went to camp with them," Jackson said. "Coach (Corey) Raymond was just showing me good technique, good drills I could do to better my game. We went over film. He was basically breaking down the whole game. They were a school I had in mind, but after that I knew it was the place for me."

Still, the nation's No. 19 cornerback wanted to make sure Florida was the right fit, so he re-visited campus this week to make sure it still felt like home. 

"I liked the new facilities," he said. "It was really nice. I was there (this week). I went to make sure everything was good and that I made the right choice."

Jackson intends to enroll early and said he is "in the process" of completing the proper coursework this summer. 

More immediately, he's eager to see if Florida's rumored recruiting hot streak materializes.

"It's good," Jackson said. "I'm excited to see all the athletes that are coming, building the program and bringing the culture back with the new coaching staff." 

247Sports projects Jackson as a future NFL draft pick:

"A pass catcher-turned-pass defender that’s just starting to figure things out on the defensive side of the ball. Has the length everyone wants these days with a thin, wiry frame that’s over 6 feet. Tested in the upper percentile spring before senior season clocking a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. Added even more context to his speed profile when he went a wind-aided 10.90 (1.6) in the 100-meter dash a few weeks later. Didn’t get a ton of snaps on defense as a junior after starting season off working primarily with the wide receivers, but ended up totaling three interceptions in four games. Is rather quick to read and diagnose. Ultra competitive in the air and understands how to put himself in position to make a play at the catch point. Aggressive with the hand checks and isn’t afraid to tug or pull at a jersey. Has shown that he can press/jam at the line of scrimmage, but technique needs some work. Must also eventually add some functional strength in hopes of not getting overpowered by college-sized skill players. Doesn’t exactly shy away from contact, but could always get a little more involved in run support, especially if he lines up on the boundary side of the field. Offensive highlights will have some talent evaluators thinking that he should be utilized as a wideout on Saturdays, but rare combination of long limbs and verified speed make him one of the more promising defensive back prospects in the state of Florida for the 2023 cycle. Will need time to develop, but traits are there to emerge as a starting cornerback for a top 25 program. NFL upside." 

Florida is a finalist for the upcoming commitments of Boone High School four-star wide receiver Aidan Mizell and West Orange High School four-star safety Jordan Castell. 

Florida's 2023 recruiting class jumps from No. 23 to No. 17 with the addition of Jackson, leapfrogging notable programs Oregon, Iowa and Louisville in the process.

Junior season highlights