Interview: 4-Star 2021 Texas WR Ketron Jackson to Give Razorbacks an Official Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2019 season on the field for Ketron Jackson was a breakout season by all accounts. The Royse City High School standout secured 61 receptions for 889 yards with nine touchdowns, carried the rock six times for 85 yards, and was so feared as a kick returner he only got two the entire season. The efforts for the 6-1.25, 187-pound, four-star helped the Bulldogs to a 9-3 season earning first team All-District honors. With the top play against 5A Texas squads came collegiate attention. Jackson has 21 offers on the table.
The recruiting process heating up for Jackson with the potential to be an early enrollee. An official visit will be given to Arkansas, a place where he can be a two-sport athlete if desired. To catch up on his recruiting and spring workouts, Jackson steps inside the RNG Lab for another in-depth confab.
*Click link for mid-2019 season RNG interview with Ketron Jackson
Interview
Ketron, what have you been working on this offseason with your game?
“Basically, I’ve been critiquing my skills. I’ve been working with my trainer on my footwork, getting in and out of my breaks, and catching the ball cleaner.”
When the 2020 season kicks off, are you taking on any additional roles besides receiver?
“You may see me at safety. My head coach talked to me about it, they may bring me in close game situations.”
Are you excited about playing safety?
“Yes (laughs). I like getting picks on defense.”
With social limitations, what has been your daily home workout routine?
“My regular day is 100 to 200 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, I have a pull up bar, I do four sets of 10 of those. I do three sets of 10 of zips. Using a resistance band, I’ve been doing different workouts including curls and I am doing body weight squats and reverse lunges. During the week I run a couple of miles, I run at least a mile a day.”
What goals have you set for yourself over the spring and summer months?
“I always want to get faster. When I get to college, I want to be one of the fastest on the field. Perfecting my route running and catching. No drops is the goal – catching is a main focal point. When this stuff clears, I will be catching a lot of balls.”
You just brought up your speed, what is your fastest 40-yard dash time?
“We had an offseason workout; I ran a 40 in 4.38.”
Very impressing. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered?
“Florida and SMU.”
How many offers have been extended to you?
“Twenty-one.”
Jackson’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, LSU, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon State, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech
Which programs were the last two to offer?
“Mississippi State and today I got one from ULL (Louisiana).”
Over the last few months, did you take any unofficial visits?
“I went to Baylor, Texas A&M, and Arkansas.”
How did the Baylor visit go?
“It was great. I went up to Baylor once or twice during the season and one time for a Junior Day. It was great. I was there for a “Sunday Fun Day”. You catch up with the coaches, eat BBQ and talk to them. We played games and took pictures. It was great.”
And the A&M visit?
“A&M is a beautiful place. When we were there, I think it was on Super Bowl Sunday, they showed us around and showed us the apartments on campus.”
What about the Arkansas visit, how did that go?
“It was a great visit. Their facilities were nice, they have a new staff, I met the new coaches, and I talked to their track coach. If Arkansas is one of my choices, I will be a dual-sport athlete at Arkansas. They keep in contact a lot, more than usual. Coach (Justin) Stepp, their receivers’ coach, and their head coach, Coach (Sam) Pittman), we have a good relationship there.”
Once the dead period is over do you have any planned visits you may take official or unofficial?
“Arkansas will be an official visit. I have some unofficial visits planned to Auburn, LSU, and Texas. There may be some official visits in there. I have not figured out the rest of my official visits yet.”
Guessing everyone wants to know about your top schools, are you going to put out a top schools list? If so, when might you do that?
“I will breakdown my top schools before the season or sometime during the season.”
With that comes an eventual commitment, have you started thinking about a commitment date?
“If everything goes right this summer and we go back to school on time, I may graduate early. If I do, I will commit before or during the month of December.”
What is the ideal fit for you when thinking fully about a school and the program?
“It is the environment. When you go somewhere it is mostly about football, but I want actual care from the coaches, not just on the field but in the classroom and in life in general. I am looking for great coaches and great fans. If I commit out of state, that will make me feel welcomed and at home.”
Time for my virus buster question. What have you been doing for fun during the quarantine?
“Spending time with my dad, my cousin, my two brothers and sister. My dad bought my brother a mini hoop and we have board games. We try to keep ourselves busy because we cannot be outside too much. I’ve been on video games too.”
Which video game are you playing?
“2K.”
Looking to the 2020 season, what goal or goals have you set for yourself?
“Last season was a very good season; I am hoping my best season will be this year. I hope to bring my team to a state championship. That is the main goal of mine. Other goals for the season are 1,000 yards receiving, I came close last year, and around 100 catches. I hope to get some more kick returns; they did not want to kick the ball my way last year. Last year I only had two. I couldn’t do anything – just two the whole season. I will return punts this season.”
Ketron, always great catching up with you talking football. Thanks for your time and keep up the hard work this spring.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Jackson family; Ketron Jackson at Arkansas and Texas A&M