FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas head coach Chad Morris has stressed how much he wants to land defensive linemen and mine the state of Texas in the 2019 class.
He’s got three defensive ends and one defensive tackle committed so far – three players from the Lone Star state.
The addition of Mansfield Legacy three-star defensive tackle Enoch Jackson (6-0, 290) would check off a couple of those boxes if he chooses the Razorbacks on August 5 at 3 p.m.
Jackson, who had 52 tackles, 19 for lost yardage, six sacks and two forced fumbles last season, has Arkansas, Clemson and Texas Tech as his three finalists and also has offers from Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Iowa, Minnesota and others.
“I went into it looking for that family feeling and a place I could go play early, be a beast and try to get to that next level,” Jackson said. “There is nothing special about that date, just a random date and I’m ready to get it over with.”
Jackson visited Arkansas on Feb. 24 and hoped to be back this weekend for the Razorbacks’ Woo Pig Nic, but won’t be able to make it along with a pair of his teammates – safety Jalen Catalon (5-9, 180) and defensive end Taurean Carter (6-3, 260).
“I just love the Arkansas coaching staff and loved them when they were at SMU,” Jackson said. “I like what they are doing up there and when they went to Arkansas, I just followed them there and I really like what they have going there now. I love their coach in Chad Morris.”
Clemson is at the top of his list as well.
“If you go to Clemson and ball out, you are going to get to the next level,” Jackson said. “I just love the way they play defense up there.”
Texas Tech is a place Jackson is fond of as well.
“I just love the town of Lubbock,” Jackson said. “I also think I could make a lot of plays on their defense.”
Jackson uses his power to make plays on defense.
“I think definitely my get-off, my power and my bullrush are my biggest strengths,” Jackson said. “I am going to have to work on fighting through double teams instead of trying to fight them both.”