Interview: 4-Star 2021 Florida DE Shambre Jackson Talks Recruiting and Official Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Big, strong, long, fast and determined… any offensive tackle that has to go up against Shambre Jackson is in for a long night, and that notion will continue on into the college ranks. Jackson earned second team Florida 8A All-State honors as a junior after posting a 50-plus tackle season with 20 tackles for a loss and 15 sacks for Boone High School. The now 6-6, 250-pound, defensive end is beastly on the field already and is still developing his game working on violent hands while adding moves to his arsenal. The upside mixed with productivity and athleticism has captured the imagination of college football programs across the country with 31 offers dropped in four-star’s lap.
In an RNG exclusive interview, Jackson heads into the Lab for an in-depth one-on-one.
Interview
Shambre, given your talents and ability to dominate a game off the edge, what kind of behavior are you seeing from offensive tackles and quarterbacks during the first couple of series in a game?
(Laughs) “Normally I look into their eyes, because they are staring at me. After I get a couple of tackles, they double and triple team, and they talk trash.”
That surprises me that they’d talk to you like that. The clean version, but what kind of trash talking are you receiving?
“Stuff like, “you are just big”, “overrated”, and at one game the student section was chanting “Shambre sucks”.”
How are they responding to you once the game gets going?
“They talk the whole game.”
This was already touched on, but what kind of blocking schemes are you seeing to try to slow you down?
“I see triple and double teams, and cut blocking.”
You are not just a big guy, you are strong as well. What are your weight room maxes?
“My bench is 360 and my squat is 440.”
In which ways did you see your overall game improve last season?
“I got way bigger, I was faster, everything with my game improved. I was stronger. I used my hands more. I went to camps and worked on that.”
When you talk to college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your game?
“They like my get-off, my hands, that I am strong, and that I am a long guy.”
What are you working on this offseason to improve your skills?
“Everything – my speed, hands especially my hands, and I am getting more moves in my arsenal.”
Which moves are you working on for next season?
“A spin, swim, club-rip – everything.”
It seems that all of college football has offered. How many scholarship offers do you have?
“Thirty-one.”
Jackson’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, Central Florida, Duke, FIU, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Liberty, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Troy, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia
Are there any programs showing interest that have not offered?
“Oregon and Texas are the only ones.”
From last season to now, have you taken any recruiting visits?
“Yes. A lot of them. I went to LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, and UCF.”
How did that LSU trip turn out?
“It went well. I was there for the Arkansas game. It was crazy, and they showed love. They had good food too.”
And the Georgia visit, how did that go?
“I love that place. Georgia had a good atmosphere, they showed love, and they had good food. Everything is good there.”
Last one; how did the Alabama visit end up?
“It was good. I traveled seven hours by car for that visit; it was worth it. I talked to head coach Nick Saban during the visit. The atmosphere at Alabama is crazy.”
Once the campuses open back up, are you planning on visiting any schools?
“I might go to Georgia for a spring practice, if they have one, and to Florida State.”
Have you started planning which schools will get your official visits?
“I have two in mind; Ohio State and Oklahoma. The far ones where I have to take a plane will get the official visits.”
Makes sense. Given your high-profile and talents, I am sure college programs left and right are hoping for a commit from you as soon as possible. Have you started thinking about a commitment date?
“I don’t know. Maybe early senior year some time.”
Are you planning on dropping a Top 5 kind of list? If so, when might you?
“Sometime soon I will put out a Top 10 or Top 15.”
What will the school that becomes your ideal fit have to earn your verbal commitment and signature?
“I want that school to have a nice campus, good academics, obviously, and football wise I want to play early. I want to be in the rotation my freshman year.”
Shambre, it was great covering all this ground with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success with your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Jackson family; Shambre Jackson