The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder, who will be rated as the state's No. 9 prospect by both Rivals.com (later today) and Tigerillustrated.com later this month, has been on an unofficial visit spree this spring, what has proved highly fruitful as he currently entertains offers from Texas A&M, LSU and Maryland entering week three of June. Clemson is slated to offer later this month, likely before Jackson arrives on the 25th for camp.

Tigerillustrated.com
Greer's Richard Jackson is one of the nation's top kickers. Later this month Jackson will take an unofficial visit to Clemson. Tigerillustrated.com projects Clemson to officially offer before that visit.

Jackson has already attended a junior day event at Georgia, and a scrimmage at Clemson.

As a junior the big-time prospect connected on eight of eleven attempts with a long of 50 yards. Jackson, who is also being recruited as a punter, averaged 44 yards per punt. "We were 1-9 last year, but I think we have the talent to be better this year. We should be," offered Jackson. "I can't say enough about our coaches. Coach (Don) Frost, his brother Larry, all of our coaches are just tremendous. I wouldn't trade any of them."

Jackson, who lives less than 45 minutes from Clemson, has been attending Clemson games all of his life. His mother and father graduated from Clemson, though in this interview the all-state kicker not only declined to name a clear leader, but also a shortlist. "I haven't ruled anyone out yet. I want to keep an open mind, and I don't want to take a visit having my mind set on something. My parents will back me wherever I go. If I went to Alaska, they would come see me play. Distance won't be a deciding factor, but I would like to be where they could (conveniently) come see me."

Jackson told Tigerillustrated.com the deciding factors in his decision would be tradition, the academic reputation of the school, plus the school's coaching staff.

The Riverside standout, who also has cousins, uncles and grandparents who attended Clemson, expects to have a decision before the Labor Day holiday. "I don't want to drag it out. If I'm not committed by Labor Day it's probably going to be a surprise. I'll be committed by then, I'm sure. I just don't want any of this hanging over my head. I don't want it hanging over the team. It would be better for the team, better for me if I went ahead and got it out of the way."

Jackson, who carries a 3.56 GPA with a 1210 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT, has a sister attending Auburn who's scheduled to graduate soon with a degree in Child Life Development.

Rivals.com will be loading Jackson's highlight film later this month. The all-state kicker is expected to debut with a three-star rating.

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