LSU Football Lands Commitment From Prized SEC Cornerback Transfer

Brian Kelly and Co, add a reinforcement to the defensive backfield, Ja'Keem Jackson heads to Baton Rouge.

Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson (2) before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Watkins-Imagn Images / Chris Watkins-Imagn Images

Brian Kelly and the LSU staff have landed a commitment from Florida cornerback transfer Ja'Keem Jackson, he revealed via social media on Saturday morning.

Jackson, an integral piece to the Gators' defensive backfield prior to injury, heads to Baton Rouge with the chance to make an immediate impact for Corey Raymond's secondary.

He spent two seasons with Billy Napier's Florida program before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal as a redshirt-freshman.

In year one with the program, Jackson appeared in 11 games as a true freshman after bursting on the scene for the Gators.

Fast forward to his second season with the program in 2024 and Jackson missed a majority of the season after suffering an injury early in the year.

The Sunshine State native totaled 11 tackles and four pass breakups over the course of two seasons in Gainesville.

Now, he heads to LSU with the opportunity to make an immediate impact for Raymond's secondary.

BREAKING: LSU has landed a commitment from Florida transfer Ja’Keem Jackson.

The coveted cornerback shuts down his process after a visit to Baton Rouge this week.

Jackson was rated as the No. 3 CB in America in the 2023 class.

Now, he’ll join the Tigers for the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/w0DvJpHlBL

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) December 14, 2024

Jackson was rated as the No. 3 cornerback in America in the 2023 Recruiting Class out of high school.

It's an important get for Kelly and the Bayou Bengals this offseason. With starting defensive back Zy Alexander departing Baton Rouge after exercising his eligibility, the cornerback room is razor thin heading into next year.

LSU will now bring in Jackson, the former No. 3 corner in America, alongside DJ Pickett, the No. 1 defensive back in the 2025 signing class.

Jackson and Pickett will also be joined by newcomer Aidan Anding, the No. 1 cornerback in Louisiana. Anding signed with the Tigers in early December.

Now, Jackson is the second commitment for the LSU Tigers via the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason where he is joined by former Oklahoma tight end Bauer Sharp.

Both Jackson and Sharp have signed the necessary paperwork and are officially in with the LSU program.

LSU's Transfer No. 1: Bauer Sharp

Sharp, a sought-after transfer with interest from several Power Four programs, took a visit to Baton Rouge earlier this week before shutting things down.

Kelly and Co. were in dire need of bodies in the tight end room after star Mason Taylor declared for the 2025 NFL Draft along with sophomore Ka'Morreun Pimpton entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Now, with a razor thin tight end room, the Bayou Bengals secure Sharp after an impressive season with the Sooners in 2024.

The veteran transfer led Oklahoma in receptions (42) and receiving yards (324) this season while playing an integral role for their offense. He also logged a pair of touchdowns for the Sooners.

There were ties in favor of the Tigers here for Sharp. An Alabama native, he signed with Southeastern Louisiana out of high school before making the move to Oklahoma last season.

Now, Kelly and Co. pushed all the right buttons in his recruitment in order to land his commitment. Sharp has also signed with the Tigers in order to make things official.

"He's a talented player with physicality; especially in the run game. If you watch him closely, some of the things they did with him in the passing game, we've seen from other tight ends," Kelly said of Sharp on Friday after the signing was made official.

"If you really look at his body of work, it's the physicality in the run game. Pulling, blocking tackles, being out on the perimeter. Love his physicality in the run-game. Still, a very good athlete. He came in as a quarterback at Southeast Louisiana. He has the ability to do some really good things for us in the passing game as well.

"I think what really stood out was having that kind of versatility in the running game and the passing game."

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LSU Dishes Out Offer to No. 1 Quarterback in America

Nick Saban Calls LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier a "Sleeper" Ahead of 2024 Season

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