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Guys, I spoke just a short while ago with Cumberland (Va.) OL
TJ Jackson, the most recent commitment for Virginia Tech. He told me he actually committed last night, though it was reported everywhere this morning.
Jackson said he already had offers from NC State, Norfolk State and VMI. He committed yesterday because the offer from the Hokies just came yesterday. VT reached out to him over the summer, after they heard about his height. Jackson took unofficial visits to James Madison and VT just before his school year started, to see practice at both. He said he kept in touch with
Stacy Searels and
Cornell Brown, but neither offered. New coach
Justin Fuente visited him at his school last Monday and assistant coach
Vance Vice attended one of Jackson's basketball games last week.
If you're wondering how Jackson went so far under the radar, there's a couple of reasons. First, he's at his third school in two years. Originally from Cumberland County, he transferred to Fuqua (Va.) for his freshman and sophomore years, then transferred to Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC) last fall. He went back to Cumberland in the spring. Also, Cumberland has been dreadful in football, with no more than three wins since an 8-3 season in 2008 at the Class 1A level. Jackson said the team this season went from about 50 kids to start to 28 for various reasons by the end of the season.
Jackson said he loved talking to Fuente and Vice. He likes how they work with their players and develop them. Jackson, who's always been the tallest in his grade since he can remember, has grown about five inches since his sophomore year. He plans on officially visiting VT Jan. 29 and signing on signing day to arrive next fall.