Local defender Kendall Jackson backs off Florida commitment – 247Sports

The Florida Gators both gained a commitment, and lost a commitment on Saturday. Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz three-star defensive lineman/edge Kendall Jackson had been committed to the Florida Gators since June 12, but opened the process back up. He announced the move through his social media account.

“First, I’d like to thank Coach [Billy] Napier for the opportunity to play the game I love at the University of Florida. I’d also like to think Coach [Mike] Peterson and Coach [Austin] Armstrong for the opportunity as well. However, after much prayer and many conversations with my family, I have decided it is in my best interest to decommit from The University of Florida. Thank you, Kendall Jackson.”

Florida extended an offer to the local prospect last summer after camped in front of the staff. He continued to be a regular visitor to campus following the offer all the way till he pulled the trigger back in June to the Orange and Blue. Even after his commitment to the Gators, Jackson was in attendance for every home game in Gainesville. He picked the Gators after official visits to Florida, Arkansas, Kendall, and Miami. 

Jackson joins the likes of four-star edge Jamonta Waller, four-star defensive back Wardell Mack, and four-star Nasir Johnson as names to back off from a former commitment to the Gators in recent weeks. 

Florida is now back to 19 commitments in their 2024 class after the loss of Jackson. Florida’s class still consists of three 247Sports’s five-star ranked prospects. The Gators 2024 consists of Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray Willis (TX) five-star quarterback DJ Lagway, McKinney (TX) five-star safety Xavier Filsaime, Clinton (NC) four-star DL/Edge Amaris Williams, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz four-star linebacker Myles Graham, Leesburg (VA) Tuscarora four-star offensive lineman Fletcher Westphal, Olney (MD) Our Lady Good Counsel four-star linebacker Aaron Chiles, Portal (GA) four-star tight end Amir Jackson, Largo (Fla.) four-star linebacker Adarius Hayes, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star wide receiver Jerrae Hawkins, Fort Myers (Fla.) Dunbar four-star wide receiver Tawaski Abrams, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day three-star wide receiver Izaiah Williams, Nashville (GA) Berrien three-star safety Josiah Davis, West Point (MS) three-star running back Kahnen Daniels, Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney three-star cornerback Teddy Foster, Hampton (GA) Creekside three-star defensive lineman Michai Boireau, Snellville (GA) South Gwinnett three-star offensive lineman Marcus Mascoll, German interior offensive lineman Noel Portnjagin, and Upper Marlboro (MD) Charles Herbert Flowers three-star offensive lineman Mike Williams.

The 247Sports Composite, an industry generated average, currently ranks Jackson as the Nation’s No. 405 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class.