Darreon Jackson staying home this time, picks the Jayhawks

This time around Darreon Jackson is going to be staying a lot closer to home.

The three-star safety from Coffeyville Community via Derby High School told Jayhawk Slant he gave the Kansas coaches a verbal commitment. He told David Beaty and Clint Bowen on Saturday and went public with his decision just minutes ago.

“Coach Beaty and Coach Bowen were excited,” Jackson said. “I was excited myself. It felt good to go through the process one more time and have that experience all over again.”

Two years ago Jackson was an all-state safety at Derby and had several offers including Kansas, Texas Tech, and Kansas State with several others. He signed with Boise State and later landed at Coffeyville Community College.

Through the process Bowen recruited him out of high school and again this time around.

“Like I said Coach Bowen has never lied to me,” Jackson said. “He’s always told me the truth. He is straight up and I know I can trust him when he tells me things. I’ve never met many coaches like him.”

Over the weekend Jackson took his official visit to Kansas. Right away he felt a family-like atmosphere that helped him make his decision. Bryce Torneden was his host on the visit.

“To be honest I liked everything,” Jackson said. “The coaching staff and all of the players treated me just like I was already a part of the team. It felt great just being out there and being part of that environment. I am already kind of a local (player) so it just felt right.”

Jackson mentioned the chance to play early with the loss of Fish Smithson at safety as one of the factors for choosing the Jayhawks. He took an unofficial visit to Kansas during his senior season in high school. He pointed out the upgrades in facilities but said some of those factors weren’t as important as the opportunity.

“Facilities really don’t matter to me,” he said. “I just want to come in and play football. They did upgrade the facilities since the last time I was there. It is amazing all of the technology they have in the locker room and how it is set up. It was like something from the future.”

It has been a long road for Jackson to end up at Kansas. The talented safety has made two stops in the last year but feels he found the right place in Lawrence.

“To look at where I am now it is a blessing,” Jackson said. “A lot of things really changed my life and I’ve been through a lot. This is a good, positive feeling and I thank God I am back to where I should be. There is no feeling like it.

“I feel like the Kansas program is going in the right direction and next year will be a turnaround season. I’m telling everybody now it is going to be different next season.”

The Jayhawks also get an added bonus with Jackson because he will have three years of eligibility remaining.