The Vols have a need for speed on offense, and they got just that with their latest commitment in the 2020 recruiting class.
Ebony Jackson is a three-star running back who plays for Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia. He was in Knoxville on Saturday on an unofficial visit, and he announced a commitment to the Vols while in town.
Extremely blessed to say I’ve committed to University of Tennessee #GBO ?✅? pic.twitter.com/901bJxlZdy
— ebony jackson (@heavoo6) April 6, 2019
According to the 247Sports rankings, Jackson is the No. 493 overall prospect and No. 39 running back in the 2020 class. He’s only recently started to grab attention on the recruiting trail. Tennessee gave him his first major offer back in late February, then Ole Miss followed up with an offer to him on March 27th. He visited Georgia on April 3rd then took a visit to Georgia Tech on April 5th before coming to Knoxville.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound running back also runs track for Kell, and he’s a speedster. Not only has he reportedly been timed running a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, but he’s run the 100-meters in 10.57 seconds.
Though his speed isn’t readily apparent in the first few plays of his highlight film, it doesn’t take too long for that burst to show up. He’s not easy to bring down, either. Jackson is pretty elusive and is much tougher than you might think by just looking at him. He can bounce off defenders and break out of tackles pretty easily. He’s also an asset in the passing game and is dangerous when he gets the ball in his hands on screens.
His season stats weren’t easy to come by, but Jackson did put up some eye-popping numbers in the playoffs for Kell this past season. In Kell’s first round game against Carver, Jackson ran for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in at least two other games during his junior season as well.
Jackson’s commitment gives the Vols their fifth known pledge of the 2020 class and their first from a running back. Tennessee now has commitments from four-star running back Harrison Bailey, four-star defensive tackle Dominic Bailey, four-star JUCO defensive end Jordan Davis, and No. 1 long snapper Will Albright along with Jackson.
