Texas ATH target Vernon Jackson won’t sign early despite Alabama pledge

The Texas Longhorns still have a shot at flipping Boling jumbo athlete Vernon Jackson from the Alabama Crimson Tide after the high school quarterback opted not to end his recruitment during the early signing period.

With seven more weeks to recruit the 6’3, 240-pounder, the Longhorns will work to get Jackson on campus. He currently has an official visit to Alabama set for January 19 and is also a priority target for new Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, so there’s plenty of competition for his services.

Defensive end is a priority position for Texas heading into the final weeks of recruiting for the 2018 class, as the staff has not yet secured any pledges at the position and has missed on numerous prospects.

Rising Owasso (Okla.) weak-side defensive end Courtre Alexander received an offer last weekend, but with Jackson opting not to sign, the staff may not push for Alexander to do so during the early signing period.

A consensus three-star prospect, Jackson is ranked as the No. 531 player nationally, the No. 39 athlete, and the No. 72 player in Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.