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Scouting Report and Highlights: Gators TE Commit Amir Jackson

Amir Jackson does a little bit of everything for his high school, but projects to play tight end for the Gators. Get to know the Florida commit's game here.

Conner Clarke

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Florida is beginning to stockpile weapons for its quarterback of the future, DJ Lagway, with blue-chip tight end prospect Amir Jackson being the latest to join the Gators' 2024 recruiting class following running back Kahnen Daniels and wide receiver Izaiah Williams. 

Though Jackson is being recruited by UF as a tight end, he does a little bit of everything for Portal (Ga.) High School, from lining up out wide, taking end-arounds and even playing on the backend of the defense. 

All Gators went to the film room to receive a more in-depth look at what Jackson will bring to Gainesville. 

Scouting Report: Gators TE commit Amir Jackson

Standing at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, Jackson is a physically imposing player on the outside and especially from the slot, with the athletic ability required to not only be a reliable pass catcher but also to take the top off of the defense.

Jackson spends the majority of his offensive playing time as an outside wide receiver and becoming a hand-in-the-dirt tight end at the next level will be an adjustment, although that doesn’t mean he can’t do it. Jackson is currently a capable perimeter blocker who is not afraid to mix it up in that regard. 

His enthusiastic approach to contributing defensively (94 tackles in two seasons as a defensive back) showcases that Jackson is more than willing to stick his nose in at the point of attack and get dirty. 

For a pass-catcher of his size, Jackson shows exceptional agility and speed. He routinely turns short passes, quick hitches, and even jet sweeps into big plays by forcing missed tackles and simply breezing by the opposition. He was clocked at 20 miles-per-hour on an end-around that he took 61 yards for a touchdown during his junior season, tracked by Reel Analytics.

However, Jackson’s best attribute is his ball skills. 

Jackson is elite at using his lengthy, muscular frame and vertical ability to box out defenders, go up and snatch the ball out of the air at its highest point. Once the ball touches his hands, he’s coming down with it more often than not, even with multiple defenders draped all over him. 

Former Gators tight end and Mackey Award winner Kyle Pitts made very similar plays at Florida, of course against much greater competition than Jackson faces in his area of east Georgia. Jackson is by no means of Pitts' caliber now, but he has flashed the ability to become a similar kind of weapon at Florida with continual development.

Though Jackson doesn't resemble the prototypical tight end, he is exactly the kind of prospect the position is gravitating toward. Tight ends are no longer being asked to put their hand in the dirt and become a sixth offensive lineman on every down like they used to, and if there is one noticeable weakness in Jackson’s game, it would be that he is not a dynamic blocker.

But it is very easy to understand why SEC programs like Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn and others came calling for the kinetic playmaker. He has the opportunity to make an early impact for Florida from a position that has missed his kind of ability for a few years. 

Observe Jackson's junior season highlights via HUDL below.

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Conner Clarke
CONNER CLARKE

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