JENKS, Okla. — It’s not true that all the fans in the visitor stands at Allan Trimble Stadium Friday night were related to Arkansas defensive tackle commit Enoch Jackson, but it sure seemed like it.
Jackson (6-0, 290), who is originally is from Oklahoma, spent a lot of time visiting with numerous members of his family - many wearing Razorbacks gear - after his injury-riddled Mansfield, Texas, Legacy team fell to Jenks 35-14.
“They are all really happy for me and looking forward to watching me play at Arkansas,” Jackson said. “I was glad they all came out. I wish we had just been able to put on a better show.”
Jackson, one of three Mansfield players that Arkansas is after along with defensive end Taurean Carter (6-3, 260) and quarterback/safety Jalen Catalon, (5-11, 190) chose Arkansas over Clemson, Florida, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State among others.
All three prospects are slated to take official visits to Arkansas on Oct. 5-7.
“I am trying to get Jalen and TC to come with me (to play at Arkansas),” Jackson said. “I’m just staying in their ear and tell them how it is at Arkansas.”
He is one of seven top defensive ends or tackles among Arkansas’ 18 pledges, a group that is ranked as the 16th-best recruiting class in the nation by Rivals.
“I feel like we are going to do big things whenever we get there and bond and gel together,” Jackson said. “I feel like we are going to be one of best defensive lines in the SEC for years to come.”
Jackson is a big fan of Arkansas’ new coaching staff, including head coach Chad Morris, defensive coordinator John Chavis and defensive line coaches Steve Caldwell and John Scott Jr.
“They are great coaches,” Jackson said. “I love the way they coach and they have great personalities. I know they are going to turn around this program just like they did at Clemson and SMU.
“I think they are good at using what they have and we are going to have some great defensive linemen and use our defense to beat teams.”
Jackson said he has dismissed other suitors since making his pledge to Arkansas.
“I’ve been shutting that down,” Jackson said. "I don’t even text them back. I’m 100 percent (a Razorback).”
Jackson had 52 tackles, 19 for loss, six sacks as a junior and was voted district defensive MVP.
He had seven tackles and two sacks Friday night in a game that was part of the Border Brawl, which pitted five Mansfield schools against five Tulsa area teams.
“I feel good about being able to get off the ball, but I feel like I still play a little high and I have to get better at that,” Jackson said.
Legacy finished 12-3 last season and has been to the state playoffs each of the last four campaigns.
This was not the start that was expected, but no less than seven injuries - including one to Catalon - hurt the Panthers against Jenks, a perennial Oklahoma power.
“It starts with practice,” Jackson said. “We have got to focus more in meetings, we have got to tackle better, got to learn our keys better. We weren’t doing none of that tonight. It’s like we just thought we were Legacy and going to walk out here and everything would be fine. We learned it was not.
“But I would rather lose now and then go crazy once we get back to Texas.”
He summed up his night.
“Healthy, but humbled,” Jackson said. “Definitely got to get back in the lab.”