Texarkana Pleasant Grove has started to become a miniature hotbed for recruiting in the state of Texas as head coach Josh Gibson has turned the program into a 4A powerhouse.
One of the Hawks’ hotter prospects is 2021 five-star defensive end Landon Jackson. Jackson is the 2nd ranked strong-side defensive end in the 2021 class and 5th ranked player in the state of Texas. He stands at a monstrous 6’6″ and 240 pounds.
He is fresh off of an official visit to LSU for their game against Texas A&M, another school high on his list.
“I had a good time out there. They played a great game against A&M. I toured a little bit of the facilities on Sunday, I had a great time,” Jackson said after Pleasant Grove’s regional final win over Gilmer last Friday in Longview.
Texas A&M has seemed to be the leader as of late in Jackson’s recruitment as the Aggies have started to make a big push for the five-star East Texan.
“I’m liking them a lot actually, they’re definitely one of my main schools at the moment. I have a really good relationship with the coaches and I think we’re just gonna keep on building it.”
Texas is still very much in the picture, however, as Coach Giles was in attendance Friday to catch up with Jackson.
“Relationships are my main thing when it comes to where I want to go to school. Like there are schools that are recruiting me that may have a better program, but they don’t want to build a relationship. I want a relationship with the school that is recruiting me and that’s how Coach Giles and [Texas A&M assistant] Coach Price treat me.”
Jackson provided a pretty certain timeline for his decision as he said that he wants to hold it out until the end of next summer.
“Right now I’m not too focused on it, but this spring I’m gonna take a few visits and then make a decision before my senior season. But right now, I’m just focused on getting a ring. That’s our main goal right now.”
