Real Reason Kirby Smart wanted to add basketball player Jahzare Jackson to Georgia football program
The Georgia football class of 2024 already boasted a six-player offensive line known for its impressive size and stature. Then, on July 4, they welcomed a standout addition, bringing the group to seven players. Jahzare Jackson, listed on the Bulldogs’ updated roster at 6-foot-10 and 348 pounds, certainly stands out.
So why did Kirby Smart and offensive line coach Stacy Searels bring in another large player, especially one who had been known for playing basketball at Overtime Elite in Atlanta?
“He was a kid we had at camp, and his situation was unique because he was eligible to join us right away,” Smart stated before Jackson’s first practice last week. “He’s an incredible athlete and quite raw, having not played football since eighth grade. You recruit for size and athleticism.”
And Jackson, at 20 years old, definitely brings both.
@adamnbeast Crazy athleticism from 6’ 11” 330 pound Jahzare Jackson, the Georgia Bulldogs latest offensive line commit. #georgiafootball #georgiabulldogs #georgiabulldogsfootball #KirbySmart #ugafootball #ThemDawgsIsHell #hbtfdawgscast
The San Diego native averaged 12.1 points and 7.5 rebounds last season for Overtime Elite and played on the AAU circuit with North Coast Blue Chips, teaming up with Bronny James.
Tate Ratledge, a fifth-year senior offensive guard who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 320 pounds, also played basketball during his time at Darlington School. However, he’s not eager to face Jackson on the basketball court. “I don’t know if I’m going to step on the court with him,” Ratledge said. “If I am, he’s on my team.”
Ratledge noted that Jackson fit in well with the other linemen from the start of his recruiting visit, and overall, the freshmen offensive linemen are eager to learn.
Now, the seven linemen average 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds. Five of the six signees from December enrolled early and have since reshaped their bodies.
Daniel Calhoun from Walton High in Marietta, who may be the most game-ready, slimmed down from 350 pounds in the spring to 325. Nyier Daniels, a 6-foot-8 player from Newark, N.J., dropped from 365 to 345, and Smart mentioned in the spring that he had lost 40 to 50 pounds. Marques Easley, standing 6-5 from Peoria, Ill., reduced his weight from 335 to 325. Michael Uini from Kempner, Texas, remains at 6-7 and 325, while Malachi Toliver from Cartersville is still listed at 6-5 and 320. Summer enrollee Marcus Harrison from Buffalo is 6-8 and 330.
“The largest jump in all of sports to me is to go from a high school offensive lineman to a college offensive lineman,” Smart stated in the spring.
Jackson wasn’t even a high school offensive lineman, which means his learning curve will likely be steeper. Georgia signed him to develop him into a skilled offensive lineman.
“We have an expectation that he has to grow, get better, and develop,” Smart said. “We saw that as a kid that has the ability to be a good football player if he has toughness and all the qualities it takes to play offensive line.”