SAN ANTONIO — Arkansas defensive line commitment Bijhon Jackson is trying to add highly recruited defensive end Solomon Thomas to the Hog roster while in San Antonio for the U.S. Army All American game.
“Solomon Thomas still has real strong interest in Arkansas, so I’ll be talking to him throughout the week,” Jackson said.
Jackson, 6-2, 330, 5.1 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of El Dorado is rooming Springdale Har-Ber defensive lineman Josh Frazier, an Alabama commitment.
“From what I’ve heard from him, he seems pretty solid on Alabama,” Jackson said.
Jackson, who recorded 43 unassisted tackles, 18 assisted, 11 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and 3 hurries this season, has a 415 pound bench press and owns the state record in the power clean with a lift of 350.
Instead of promoting Arkansas, Jackson likes to use a more personal approach in trying to lure Thomas, who will visit Arkansas on Jan. 24, or any other prospect to Fayetteville.
“My thing is not really direct recruiting,” Jackson said. “It’s like make a bond and a friendship with the guys and hope that will carry over in the decision to chose a school. They’ll want that friendship with you and keep that friendship and hopefully help them chose a school.”
Jackson enhanced his national reputation at The Opening, the premier event for high school prospects at Nike Headquarters during the summer. He said his experience in San Antonio is similar.
“The practice was a lot like the opening,” said Jackson of Monday. “We’ll be here three of four days longer. It’s a great opportunity to be here with the Army guys and represent the Army. Get some good coaching. Being in San Antonio, I love it down here. I’ve become pretty good friends with a lot of these.”
The week will also aid him for Arkansas.
“Going against this competition, the best in the country will help me be prepared for the next level,” he said.