Four-star offensive tackle Austin Jackson (6’6, 280 pounds, Phoenix, Ariz.) committed to USC on Wednesday. He selected the Trojans over Washington, Arizona State, and a long list of other suitors who had been interested in him.
4-star OT Austin Jackson chooses USC over Washington and Arizona State
He played on both sides of the ball in high school.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The offensive tackle is ranked eighth in his position for the 2017 class, but more impressively, he is the No. 1 ranked prospect out of the state of Arizona, according to 247Sports Composite. USC had long been considered the favorite to land him.
He was a participant in this year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he played on the West team. In high school, Jackson lined up as both a havoc-wreaking defensive end and an offensive tackle — his anticipated college position.
His play on defense illustrated his athleticism, which serves him well on offense, too. Most of his publicly available highlight tape, ironically enough, is on the defensive side of the ball.
Jackson’s an athlete with lots of size. He should thrive as an offensive tackle. And if his new coaches want more out of him, he’s got a track record on D, too.
USC blog Conquest Chronicles:
Once a position of desperate need, Jackson’s commitment to USC gives the Trojans one of the best offensive line classes in the nation as he joins four-star offensive linemen Brett Neilon and Alijah Vera-Tucker among others who have verbally committed to USC. Jackson is a huge get for USC and his addition to the class will go a long way towards vaulting the Trojans’ 2017 recruiting into the top 5 nationally.
