Miami football hard sell on 3-star DT Jayden Jackson’s Saturday visit

It’s hard to sell a three-star defensive tackle in Miami’s football program Jayden Jackson who will visit the Hurricanes on Saturday. Ohio State is the clear favorite 90.7 percent chance Jackson commits per On3. Miami could get a chance for two factors that are important to Jackson.

Jackson attends IMG Academy. Miami signed defensive lineman Jayden Wayne, offensive linemen Francis Mauigoa and Antonio Tripp and tight end Riley Williams from IMG in its 2023 class. Jackson is Polynesian and he and his mother have connected with Miami DL coach Joe Salave’a because of their shared culture.

Jackson visited Miami earlier in March. The 247 Sports Composite Ranking List Jackson 659th prospect, 62nd DL and 97th in Florida in 2024. Miami has no 2024 commitments in its defensive front seven. Three-star safeties Dylan Day and Isaiah Thomas are the only Miami 2024 defensive commitments.

Starting with his hiring in December 2021, Mario Cristobal has stated that recruiting along the line of scrimmage is a priority. Three-star offensive tackle Juan Minaya is the only player on the line of scrimmage that Miami has committed to in 2024. The Miami football program signed five OL and four DL in the 2023 class.

Jackson recently named Florida, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas as his top five. Nine Power Five programs have been visited by Jackson per On3. After Saturday’s visit, Miami will be the third football program Jackson has visited multiple times. Apparently, Penn State is not in the running for Jackson’s commitment.

As for On3, Jackson has no official visits planned. At 6’2 and 300 pounds, Jackson already has the build to anchor the middle of the DL. Miami could lose all of their top DTs after the 2023 season. Expect the Hurricanes to actively recruit DTs and through the transfer portal next year.