Just days after committing to USC, Datona Jackson the prized JUCO defensive end in UCLA’s 2019 recruiting class, changed his mind and called his shot for the Bruins.
Jackson is a 6-4, 265-pound strong side defensive end from College of the Desert in Palm Desert. He is originally from Union City, Ohio. He had been one of Chip Kelly’s top defensive targets for a few months. He is ranked as the 63rd best junior college player in the country.
Jackson had little recruiting interest as a high school senior in 2013 because of a broken leg. He graduated high school and went to work for his father in the Coachella Valley in the resort industry, leaving football behind for three years. Then in 2017, he put his pads back on and joined the junior college ranks.
Within the last two weeks he thought about Colorado until their entire coaching staff was fired, visited USC, committed to USC and then within the last 12 hours, dropped USC and flipped to UCLA. Andrew John of the Desert Sun broke the story.
Was told by a coach that he's going to be a Bruin "and can't wait to play USC." https://t.co/BFe8HWRZkt
— Andrew John (@Andrew_L_John) December 19, 2018
There are rumors that USC was going to get someone else they wanted at the position and pulled the offer. There are rumors that Jackson was never very firm in his commitment to USC. Regardless, Kelly lands a 23 year old player who is physically mature and at a position of need.
