Offensive lineman signing with Purdue Wednesday
Rivals.com three-star offensive guard Jalen Jackson will sign with Purdue Wednesday as a mid-year enrollee, the Georgia native said Monday.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Ga., was previously committed to new Purdue coach Jeff Brohm at Western Kentucky.
He officially visited West Lafayette this weekend.
"It's the coach, Jeff Brohm, is why I chose Purdue, and what he's planning to do," Jackson said. "And just, overall, it's time for a change."
Jackson will come to Purdue as an offensive guard primarily, but said he could also play defense if Boilermaker coaches see fit.
But he will sign as an offensive player, one of two offensive lineman Brohm added this weekend to enroll in January. Junior college tackle Ethan Smart also committed after an official visit this weekend and will sign Wednesday, also.
"I have good feet," Jackson said. "I think I'm pretty fast. Fast and loose and strong.
"It helps me get to the second level pretty fast and helps with my pass-blocking. I'm pretty proficient at that. If you put a defensive end over me, I might be just as fast or faster, so speed-rushing doesn't always work. And I can get to the second level faster than the receiver and that helps me with screens."
Jackson said he spent the weekend mostly with fellow visitor T.J. Jallow, with safety C.J. Parker as their player host.
"It was a nice visit," Jackson said. "Everything they have there at Purdue, it's cool. They're building a nice new facility, a new weight room and indoor facility and all that. The stadium's nice. The players were cool. They're sponsored by Nike, and I love that. It was all just really nice."
Jackson is Brohm's third commitment since taking over at Purdue, joining Smart and high school DB Jacob Abrams. More are likely to come in the short term.
Membership Information: Sign up for GoldandBlack.com now | Why join? | Questions?
Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2016. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.