Dynamic dual-threat QB Ja’Quinden Jackson signs with Texas

One of the nation’s most dynamic talents is now officially a member of head coach Tom Herman’s 2020 class, as Duncanville quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson inked his National Letter of Intent with the Texas Longhorns on Wednesday.

A four-star talent, Jackson became one of the earliest additions to Texas’ 2020 class, announcing his commitment on June 3 over 25 other offers, with LSU, Texas A&M, TCU, Alabama, and Oklahoma representing some of the other headliners in his recruitment.

That said, Jackson’s recruitment was essentially a one-horse race, thanks in large part to the presence of wide receivers assistant Rashaad Samples, now coaching wide receivers at SMU. Samples, the son of Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples, served as the primary tie between Jackson and Texas, which helped the Longhorns separate themselves as the team to beat throughout the vast majority of Jackson’s recruitment.

Though Samples did leave for SMU the following month, Jackson’s commitment never wavered, and thus, Texas now officially adds an elite in-state star who’s nothing short of electric with the ball in his hands.

Burnt Orange Nation previously detailed Jackson’s dynamic skill set:

“At 6’2, with a 219-pound frame, Jackson is already compact with an imposing stature that fits the mold of many different positions on the football field. You combine his salient size and sensational athleticism together and you can easily come up with at least seven different spots on the field where Jackson could be plugged in and potentially become a household name in the Big 12.

But, of course, the question is whether or not Jackson will remain at quarterback. To that end, there’s certainly some evidence to support Jackson’s future behind center.

Tom Herman and his staff recruited Jackson as a quarterback and he’s expressed that’s what he wants to continue to play at the next level. Jackson is fully capable of doing so, as long as he continues to make it a priority to grow and develop as a quarterback and the offensive side of the Longhorns staff makes sure that he advances his mechanics and overall knowledge at the position. The arm strength, plus the discipline to keep his eyes downfield and having the ability to improvise in the pocket when pressure arrives, makes Jackson well suited to be a valuable option behind the center when it’s his time to touch the field. Jackson has a relaxed and smooth throwing motion and puts touch on short-to-intermediate passes.

You don’t see a ton of unnecessary movement from Jackson when he’s in the process of throwing the ball, but there are things he still needs to clean up technique-wise, but he’s a lot more fine-tuned than what many have given him credit for up to this point. Jackson has also shown that he has the gutsiness to put it all on the line and make the necessary plays with his arm or legs to put his team in position to be victorious. From the quarterback position, you want to have someone that has the moxie and tough backbone Jackson has in crunch-time situations.

Now Jackson’s greatest aspect of his game is when he tucks the ball away and takes off on defenders; that’s a reason why you see so many comparisons of whom he resembles the most or the multitude of positions he’s slated to flourish in at the next level. As most would agree, Jackson is at his best when he escapes from the pocket. The four-star prospect officially turns into a running back with tremendous vision, smooth change of direction, and a compelling burst that allows him to run past arm tackles swiftly and get to the last line of defense in a hurry, showing off his 4.61 40-yard dash speed.”

Though it appears Jackson’s senior season was cut just short due to a left knee injury in the state semifinals that was confirmed as a torn ACL on Wednesday, the future Longhorns amassed 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air this season with only five interceptions, and added another 1,030 yards and 16 scores with his legs.

A consensus four-star prospect, Jackson is ranked as the No. 75 prospect overall and the No. 3 athlete, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.