Parkview DT Kenyon Jackson Talks Verbal Commitment to Fighting Illini

Written by Ryan Wright

If a football family bloodline counts for anything, the Fighting Illini picked up an immediate difference maker to their 2016 recruiting class on Monday when Little Rock Parkview defensive tackle Kenyon Jackson committed.

Jackson, 6’0”, 295 pounds, is the son of legendary collegiate and NFL tight end Keith Jackson. While dad was at Oklahoma he was a consensus All-American in 1986 before becoming a Super Bowl champion and a six-time Pro Bowl selection (1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1996). Older brother Keith Jackson Jr. was a 2007 NFL Draft pick of the St. Louis Rams out of University of Arkansas after twice earning first-team All-SEC honors (2007 and 2008).

Now Kenyon is making his way to the collegiate level ready to forge his own path to football glory. The Class of 2016 rising star had 75 tackles, 44 solo, with 25 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks, and at least 3 forced fumbles as a junior for Little Rock Parkview last season.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I caught up with Kenyon shortly after he verbally committed to Illinois to get the inside scoop on how everything went down.

Interview
Kenyon, first, congratulations on your commitment to Illinois!

“Thank you.”

We spoke just the other day, I was surprised to find out that you had committed. What influenced you to commit when you did?

“The educational aspect of the school, the coaches, the university – they really want me there. That made a difference to me. They believe in me and I believe in them. That’s the big reason why I committed.”

How did the commitment take place?

“After football practice, I talked to me dad and then talked to my head coach. They said it sounds good and they were with me 100 percent. Then I called Coach (Mike) Phair (co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach) and told him. He was real happy.”

You said Coach Phair was real happy, what did he say after you committed?

“I told him I was committing and then he said, “Oh my goodness. That made my day. No that made my whole year.” Then he said, “When you get here I’m going to drill you into the ground” and all of that. He said, “I’m going to make you the best player. You don’t even know.”

I talked to him earlier on Twitter. I told him I was going to call him and he said he told the head coach (Tim Beckman), “I think he might commit today.”

How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed? Were you nervous or excited?

“I was actually excited. It’s a load off my chest. I wanted to commit before the regulars season started. Now all I have to do is focus on my senior year and football. I’m excited to get it out of the way. I’m excited to commit to the school I want to be at.”

Do you still plan on taking your official visits during your senior season?

“No. No.”

Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?

“I’ll try to do whatever I can. I started talking to the other D-tackle (Antonio Shelton). We got real cool talking yesterday so I’m going to start trying to get people up there. It’ll be a good thing.”

Again, congratulations on your commitment.

“Thank you.”

The Fighting Illini now has 11 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class. Of the 11 commitments, Illinois has pulled players from five different states.

Photo credit: Jackson family; Kenyon Jackson works at a camp.