Why Miami's Next Defensive Backs Coach Will Be An Excellent Recruiter
College coaches are constantly changing jobs and the Miami Hurricanes must adjust.
That includes along the recruiting trail. The Canes lost Jahmile Addae to the Buffalo Bills. It's a great opportunity for him to work in the NFL but unfortunately for the Canes, they are losing a quality coach. His ability to recruit will also be hard to replace.
Addae has strong relationships in South Florida where the Hurricanes focus their recruiting efforts. The coach replacing him has the pedigree to make an impact as a big-time recruiter, albeit he might do so a little bit differently.
According to reports, Mario Cristobal will be hiring Marshall's Chevis Jackson, a former assistant under Lance Guidry when he was the defensive coordinator for Marshall.
The Thundering Herd recruits differently than Miami being that it's located in Huntington, W.V. Far more out-of-state recruiting and finding hidden gems. Jackson's roots are still from down South.
From the Marshall athletics website, A Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's graduate who went on to be an LSU Tiger from 2004-2007 and a graduate assistant for South Alabama from 2013-2014, Jackson knows two of the areas that Cristobal wants to invade well.
In fact, two of Miami's 2024 recruits come from the Mobile area. Hybrid linebacker Cam Pruitt is from Theodore (Ala.) High School and edge defender Cole McConathy is from Spanish Fort (Ala.) High School. Both schools are located in the suburbs of Mobile.
Further, with Jackson's playing history with LSU, he's well-versed with the Bayou State where Miami already has 11 offers extended in the 2025 recruiting class, per 247. Miami pulled in two Louisiana recruits from the class of 2024 and the emphasis on recruiting there long-term is evident. He does possess knowledge of South Florida, too.
While Jackson probably does not have the same connections in South Florida that Addae possesses, he's not unfamiliar with recruiting Dade County. The 2023 Marshall recruiting class includes Ahmere Forster from Miami (Fla.) Columbus. Ironic, as that would be the same high school Cristobal graduated from prior to playing for Miami himself.
The 2024 Marshall recruiting class includes cornerback Guylijah Theodule from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern, a prep football program The U prioritizes. Jackson's coaching background will aid him when recruiting for Miami.
The 2022 Marshall defense would be one of the nation's best. The results include being #6 in the nation in scoring defense, per CFB Stats. That statistic, among others, is an important factor for why Cristobal brought in Lance Guidry to be UM's defensive coordinator. Jackson will be the second coach from that outstanding defensive staff to come to Coral Gables, with more prominent statistics to note.
As Carter Lutz of The Miami Hurricane wrote about Marshall's 2022 defense, "Led by Guidry and Jackson, the Marshall secondary finished with 17 interceptions and third in pass efficiency defense. They also had the No. 1 third-down defense in the country and finished fifth in yards per play."
All of those statistics will also be strong selling points with recruits.
Coming from a history of top-notch production, Jackson is going to be able to show recruits, their families, and high school coaches that he is an elite defensive backs coach. Prospects want a great opportunity to reach the NFL and Jackson will be able to help them reach their dreams.
Losing Addae is not easy for Miami, but Jackson is going to be an excellent coach and recruiter for the Canes.
Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.