Tennessee Vols could be on the verge of stealing a 4-star RB from LSU's backyard
The Tennessee Vols are one of several programs hoping to land 2023 four-star running back Kaleb Jackson. Jackson, 5-foot-10/200 lbs from Baton Rouge, LA (Liberty Magnet), is ranked in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 7 running back in the country and the No. 8 player in Louisiana. He's also rated as the No. 135 […]
The Tennessee Vols are one of several programs hoping to land 2023 four-star running back Kaleb Jackson.
Jackson, 5-foot-10/200 lbs from Baton Rouge, LA (Liberty Magnet), is ranked in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 7 running back in the country and the No. 8 player in Louisiana. He's also rated as the No. 135 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class.
It's typically not very easy for Tennessee — or any program not named LSU — to land an elite player from Baton Rouge.
But it sounds like the Vols actually have a decent shot of earning a commitment from Jackson.
Jackson told VolQuest this week that Tennessee is "in it" because of the effort they're putting into recruiting him.
“They are in it because they are giving an effort and that’s what it’s all about. If you’re giving an effort to recruit me and make me feel like I’m wanted – that’s a place I could call home," said Jackson.
"They pretty much talk to me every day,” added Jackson.
There have been a lot of questions about Tennessee's recruiting under Josh Heupel. Can he be an elite recruiter in the SEC? Will the Vols land the type of talent it takes to compete with programs like Alabama or Georgia?
I think Jackson's recruitment should ease some of those concerns. And it's not just because they could possibly sign the Louisiana native — it's because Jackson is interested in Tennessee solely because of how the Vols coaches are recruiting him.
If UT can go into Baton Rouge and sign a four-star recruit, then there shouldn't be any concerns about recruiting. That alone would tell me all I need to know about Heupel and his staff.
There's still a long way to go in the battle for Jackson. But it certainly sounds like Heupel and his staff have the Vols in a really good spot for the talented running back.
Featured image via Alan Poizner / USA TODAY NETWORK
