Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516624
4 0 M A R C H 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 4 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / I n both the 2022 and '23 recruiting classes, Penn State prioritized the kind of linebackers who excel in space. Between Abdul Carter, Keon Wylie, Tony Rojas and Kaveion Keys, there's no short- age of players who can help the Nittany Lions in that role in the years to come. But for the 2024 class, head coach James Franklin and his staff went the op- posite route, pursuing players who make their living taking on blocks inside the box. They ended up signing two of their top targets — Anthony Speca of Pitts- burgh and Kari Jackson of the Detroit area. "We wanted to make sure that we got guys who have a great box feel," recruiting coordinator Alan Zemaitis said. "We feel really good about the athleticism of both guys and their way around the box. That is a skill set that is kind of glossed over a little bit because everybody wants those athletic guys, which we do have." Both Jackson and Speca commit- ted early in the process and held firm throughout. Jackson ended his recruit- ment on Feb. 28, 2023. His decision came after three visits to State College, includ- ing a trip for a junior day event just before the February dead period. Jackson had previously announced that Penn State was one of seven schools standing out, joining Cincinnati, Mary- land, Missouri, Stanford, UCF and Wis- consin on his list of finalists. The Badgers appeared to be PSU's top competitors at the end, but the culture surrounding Franklin's program proved persuasive. "The relationship that the coaches have built with the players and also the rela- tionships the players have with each other [were important factors]," Jackson said. "They call themselves brothers there. They look up to their position coaches and Coach Franklin as father figures and as role models. I really like the culture. It's a big family. They're all supporting each other and are there for each other." During his junior season at West Bloomfield High, Jackson totaled 103 tackles, including 26 for loss and 3 sacks. Lakers head coach Zach Hilbers described him as "a tremendous leader for our pro- gram … both on and off the field. His off- season work ethic and training were un- matched, and he was the clear emotional leader of our team." The 6-foot-1, 226-pound inside line- backer was expected to have another big year in 2023, but a shoulder injury on opening night forced him to sit out the rest of the season. Jackson's injury never impacted Penn State's commitment to him. By then, the Nittany Lions were already well aware of what he could do. "Kari is a stat stuffer," Zemaitis said. "This is a guy that was averaging like 10 tackles a game his junior year going into the playoffs. He's a guy who does a really good job at block destruction. He's a guy who keeps his shoulders square as he's scraping over the top of the defensive line or whoever is spilling. "[But Kari is also] always going down- hill. He had a lot of solo tackles. So, he's a guy who was all over the place and does a good job tracking the near hip and tack- ling guys in space when they get to the edge." — Ryan Snyder LB | 6-1 | 226 West Bloomfield West Bloomfield, Mich. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Industry ★★★ 589 54 16 On3 ★★★ — 78 21 ESPN ★★★ — 21 10 Rivals ★★★★ 244 13 6 247Sports ★★★ — 62 15 Statistics • Totaled 103 tackles, including 26 for loss and 3 sacks, as a junior • Finished with 53 tackles and 3 sacks as a sophomore Notable • Missed nearly his entire senior season with an injury • Was a two-year team captain • Played at IMG Academy in Florida as a sophomore Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on Feb. 28, 2023 • Recruited by former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz • Picked Penn State over Cincinnati, Mary- land, Missouri, Stanford, UCF and Wisconsin • Officially visited on June 2, 2023 2024 Projection Jackson missed his senior season with a shoulder injury and was very quiet with the media when it came to the rehabilitation pro- cess. He's expected to play middle linebacker at Penn State. Given his ongoing recovery and the presence of two veteran middle lineback- ers — redshirt junior Kobe King and senior Ty- ler Elsdon — we expect Jackson to redshirt. They Said It BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "Jackson is a throwback bruiser who can patrol the middle of the field and command the box as a run defender. His vision, instincts and physi- cality should overcome any traits he may lack. As a coverage player, Jackson can develop into someone who doesn't have to come off the field. He needs to get faster and more explo- sive, which can come with increased muscle density and training. Unlike some throwback prospects of yesteryear, Jackson has three- down potential. Either way, PSU got a great player to plug into the middle of coordinator Tom Allen's system." Jackson liked Wisconsin, Maryland and Stanford, among others, but he chose PSU because he felt he fit into its team culture. PHOTO COURTESY KARI JACKSON KARI JACKSON In Michigan linebacker, the Nittany Lions find a hard-hitting middle man T H E J A C K S O N F I L E