Why George County standout McKinnley Jackson chose Texas A&M over Alabama
When Alabama’s Nick Saban shows up to make a final recruiting pitch less than a week before National Signing Day, there aren’t many prospects who turn down the biggest coaching name in college football.
On Wednesday, George County star defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson did just that.
The 6-2, 327-pound senior announced to a packed room that he was committing to Texas A&M and he promptly signed his Letter of Intent as family members, coaches and fellow students cheered him on.
He had three other caps on the table — Alabama, LSU and Auburn — but he said he chose the Aggies a year ago.
Jackson said there were “shots thrown at him” about staying closer to home, but he stayed the course throughout.
“I stuck to it toward the end,” he said. “It’s been a lot of pressure, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Many in Lucedale were surprised Jackson picked Texas A&M over schools like LSU and Alabama – programs that have a large following in South Mississippi. But those close to Jackson knew that the Aggies had been in the running for a while.
“I kind of thought it might be A&M or Bama,” former George County football coach Matt Caldwell said. “Was I shocked? No. I wouldn’t have been shocked with any of them. He really did his due diligence on what he wants in a university. I couldn’t be more proud for him, making the decision he made. I told someone else he couldn’t have gone wrong with any of those four schools.”
Saban wasn’t the only SEC coach to make the trip to Lucedale last week, creating a buzz around the community of about 3,000 people. New Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher were in town on Monday. On Tuesday, LSU coach Ed Orgeron, fresh off a national championship season, stopped by. Saban tried to close the deal on Thursday.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn was supposed to visit on Wednesday, but he had a setback, according to Caldwell.
“He got food poisoning at some Arby’s in Mobile. That’s a true story by the way,” he said.
Why Texas A&M?
In choosing Texas A&M, Jackson has decided to chart his own path 550 miles away from home.
Jackson, who was recruited by Fisher when he was the coach at Florida State, said the coach made that part of his recruiting pitch: “Build your own legacy, build your own brand here at Texas A&M.”
Jackson emphasized that his decision went beyond how he sees himself fitting in on the Aggies’ football team.
“It was just the school itself,” he said. “Coaches can leave anytime so I wasn’t looking toward that. I was looking to the players and the school itself.”
Jackson, who was committed briefly to LSU in 2017, admitted Alabama was his second choice behind Texas A&M.
He managed to keep his decision from his coaches and classmates, but he did give his family a heads up on Tuesday, giving them time to buy Texas A&M T-shirts for Wednesday’s announcement.
Jackson informed Fisher about a week ago that he was headed to College Station.
“He said it was kind of like being a kid on Christmas, knowing you’ve got a present but you can’t open it yet,” Jackson said.
Jackson was asked if there was anyone he made proud the most by fulfilling his dream of playing SEC football.
“I made myself proud,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot adversity through my life, making this decision coming from a small town and making big dreams happen.”
Other Coast D1 football signees
▪ St. Stanislaus defensive lineman/tight end Lee Negrotto signed Wednesday with Nicholls. He had 31 catches for 480 yards and nine TDs as a senior.
▪ Pearl River Central tight end D.J. Ruff signed Wednesday with Murray State. The 6-3 1/2, 238-pound senior had three catches for 60 yards as a senior.
▪ Picayune offensive lineman/defensive lineman Deonta Reed signed with Alcorn State.
▪ Stone High defensive back A.J. Petty signed with Jackson State.
▪ Gulfport defensive back Jamison Lindsey signed with Mississippi Valley State.
This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 12:07 PM.
