Gators trending heavily for in-state DB ahead of summer decision

Last October, I submitted an early On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pick for the Florida Gators to land 2026 defensive back Devin Jackson.

That was due to the Gators hosting him for nearly every home game and Jackson naming them his leader. Those leading RPM odds are approaching 97 percent and could rise even more.

Now, roughly nine months later, Jackson has included Florida in his top seven and says it’s the program recruiting him the hardest. More competition has arrived in recent months, but it’s safe to say the SEC program is still trending heavily.

“They show a lot of love when I come up there and I’m wanted up there,” Jackson told Gators Online. “I’m up there a lot of times, so I know the facilities too. It feels like home all around.”

Jackson, who now attends Orlando (Fla.) First Academy, is not far off from making a decision as well.

Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, Missouri, UCF and Maryland are the additional schools in his top group; however, Jackson says the Knights and Terrapins are the programs out front with the Gators.

“I’m going to knock it out probably around Aug. 1 before school starts and my season starts,” Jackson said regarding his commitment timeline.

Three Florida coaches are involved with Devin Jackson

If all goes as planned, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Jackson will be returning to Gainesville on July 27. That is the day of the Grill in the ‘Ville cookout, UF’s signature recruiting event for July.

Being present will allow Jackson to strengthen his relationship with Florida even more. That doesn’t include just one staff member either.

“I talk to (secondary coach) Will Harris, Billy Napier, and also the new (assistant) DBs coach (Beyah Rasool) the most,” Jackson said. “We talk pretty often. I don’t want to say every day, but every other day. They are trying to get me up there to make it more like home and get me to make my big decision.”

Three visits are on the calendar for July

In addition to attending Florida’s cookout, Jackson will visit Maryland on July 24-25 and UCF immediately after on the 26th.

Those programs are definitely receiving a strong look, but the Gators are receiving the final visit and have been trending for nearly a year. I just don’t see a school beating them out, especially when you consider Jackson’s commitment timeline.

According to the On3 rankings, Jackson is the No. 25 safety in the 2026 class.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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