Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/651219
angeville Prep center Thon Maker. The 7-0, 210-pound big man isn't part of Rivals' position rankings because he plays in Canada, but many recruiting analysts consider him a top-10 pros- pect in the class of 2016. Jackson plus returning veterans Steve Vasturia, V.J. Beachem and Bonzie Colson — and a big man in the middle with the talent of Maker — has the makings of a team that could do something special. "Being able to make a smart and educated decision for what's best for me would include looking at all the variables," Jackson said. "I think that would definitely play into it." Conversely, Maker 's camp is keep- ing an eye on Jackson's decision, too. The five-star 's guardian, Ed Smith, told Blue & Gold Illustrated in October that the direction Jackson is leaning could have an impact on Maker 's col- lege decision in April. "That would be a big thing, having a player of that caliber on the team," Smith said. "You want to see who's there; you want to be able to see how big a run you can make with this thing. You don't want to go to a place where you aren't going to be able to make a run." Those business decisions will have to wait for the Irish junior. For now, his focus lies with his current squad — with the goal of winning an ACC championship and advancing as far as possible in what many experts con- sider a wide open NCAA Tournament field. "I just try to go out and do the things I know I can do," Jackson said. "All in all, I just want to win games and win a championship." ✦