Illinois Football: Illini are on the radar for a Myles Jackson visit

The Illinois football program is trying to build a team so that both sides of the ball can play at a high level.

The starting point to building this type of team is getting the quality players into the program. Illinois’ recruiting efforts haven’t fallen short of expectations since Lovie Smith took over the team. Would I like more quantity in each class? Sure, but the quality seems to be there year in and year out.

Lovie and the coaching staff continue to build that quality with players like Myles Jackson. He is a 6-foot-2, 230-pound inside linebacker from Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 1155 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 51 inside linebacker in the nation. He is also the No. 108 player in the state of Georgia.

The recruitment for Jackson seemed to be all buttoned up until he decided to reopen his recruitment just two weeks ago. Now there are teams coming in with offers for him, which includes the Illini.

The Writing Illini had a chance to pick Jackson’s brain about what this offer meant to him.

“The offer means a lot to me as they don’t throw out offers. Every offer they give is carefully evaluated beforehand and is solid. I know the program is great for academics and the football program is on a great incline,” said Jackson.

Illinois doesn’t just hand out scholarships. They do focus on what types of players they need on the team. But what position is Illinois looking at Jackson playing?

“I have played defensive end and linebacker. Colleges want me to play an outside linebacker and defensive end hybrid position. Illinois sees me as a rush end,” said Jackson.

The Illini clearly are focusing on players who are versatile. Jackson has skills at both linebacker and the defensive line, so he would be perfect in this Orange and Blue defense. What is an area that he excels in on the football field and what does he want to continue to improve?

“My biggest strength is probably my effort combined with my speed and explosiveness. I would say that I need to keep working on my speed, explosiveness and play recognition,” said Jackson.

Being great in an area on the football field doesn’t mean the work is done in that one area. While Jackson sees his strength as speed, he also wants to continue improving that speed. He isn’t content, and that is a great attribute to have.

Jackson’s recruitment is a clean slate right now with teams coming in with offers. He did take an unofficial visit to North Carolina a week ago, though. I am sure more teams will get visits too. But will one of those teams be the Illini?

“Yes sir, and Illinois is definitely on the radar for a visit,” said Jackson.

It is exciting being in the mix for a talented linebacker like Jackson. He is a wanted recruit and Illinois is making a push for him. Let’s see how his visits and recruitment plays out over the next couple of months.