Irish Show Interest In Big-Time 2019 NC DE

2019 North Carolina defensive end Savion Jackson‍'s interactions with Notre Dame have been minimal to this point, but given the history of the Irish, he would like to get to a game in South Bend.

“I don’t really talk to Notre Dame too much, but they will send stuff in my DMs about the program and they also talk to my coach,” the Clayton standout explained. “I that Notre Dame is a good program and has a good history, and that the academics are very good.”

The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder got to see the Irish play in person last week when he was visiting the University of North Carolina and the big defensive end hopes to become closer with the Irish staff going further.

“I would like to talk to the coaches more and find out more about how I would fit with their team as a player,” Jackson expressed.

The 4-star junior is up to 16 time offers, and has gained the interest from many others as of late.

“My most recent offers came from Alabama, Ohio State and Louisville,” explained Jackson. “Georgia and Clemson have been showing a lot of interest lately and have been in close contact.”

Earlier this week, Jackson announced a top 10 of Ohio State, Clemson, Penn State, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Louisville, Tennessee and Alabama.

At first glance, it is easy to see what there is to like about Jackson, due to his rare size and speed and when college coaches evaluate his film, there is much more to like.

“The main thing college coaches say they like about me is that they like my motor and how I give 100 percent on each and every play,” said Jackson. “They also say I have a good first step to go along with good pad level and I use my hands decently.”

Despite the countless offers and encouraging words from coaches, the 2019 recruit has been working on his game diligently to make sure he is the best he can be.

“I have been really focusing on working on using my hands more and more efficiently and also getting my first step quicker since it is one of the most important things,” the North Carolina native said. “The faster you get off the ball, the faster you can beat the offensive lineman and get past him.”

Jackson has great speed and strength at the defensive end position, but his could end up calling for a position change in college and he is all for it because he believes he has the versatility.

“I am a defensive end, but most defensive ends at 6-foot-2 either get moved inside or back to linebacker, so don’t know where I would play in college,” expressed Jackson. “I feel more comfortable playing end, but at my school we get moved around everywhere on the line, and if I had to play linebacker, I wouldn’t mind at all because I have the speed and I can catch.”

Even though he would be fine playing a different position at the next level, given a choice, the 6-foot-2 240-pounder would like to play the position he grew up playing and it would have an impact on his decision.

“Defensive line is where I feel most comfortable because I have been playing it my whole life,” said Jackson. “When making my final decision, I would factor in where I fit on the depth chart and where the school is going to have me playing and also the academic factor of the school would be a factor as well.”

The junior standout has plenty of time to make his decision, and has a major visit coming up and will likely revisit schools he has already visited before he makes his decision.

“I’ve been NC State a lot, because one of my best friends is committed there as a receiver, and my girlfriend’s parents are huge NC State fans so I got there often, and I have also been to UNC and Saturday I going to the Tennessee/South Carolina game.”