Freedom’s Jackson set to go to Michigan
The rapid rise in the versatile play of Giles Jackson has led him to Ann Arbor, Mich.
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound all-purpose back from Freedom-Oakley announced Monday that he has committed to Jim Harbaugh and the University of Michigan.
Jackson, who rocketed up recruiting boards following superb showings in several spring and summer camps, picked the Wolverines over Florida, Seton Hall, Harvard and most Pac-12 schools, including Cal, USC, UCLA and Oregon.
He told 247Sports that Michigan made a big impression on him during his visit there in the spring. He had thought a West Coast school would be his destination, but the Wolverines didn’t stop calling.
In his heart, he said, he knew last week that Michigan was for him.
“I just realized the love I got when I visited,” he told the recruiting site. “I told coach Harbaugh (on Monday) and he was very happy to hear the news.”
He said the biggest reason he chose the Wolverines was “they offer everything I need to be successful in life.” It helped too that his 7-on-7 quarterback teammate during the summer, Cade McNamara of Damonte Ranch-Reno, also has committed to Michigan.
Now seen as a dual-threat back, Jackson came on strong late last season to finish with 1,586 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground and another 324 yards and five TDs on 21 receptions. As a sophomore, he was exclusively a receiver — the Falcons then had current Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers — and had 46 catches for 842 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Jackson said he will not visit any additional schools — some recruits do after verbally committing — and plans to sign during the early period (Dec. 19-21) instead of waiting until the regular Feb. 6 national signing day.
He wants to focus solely on his senior season. Freedom (3-1), ranked 18th by The Chronicle, hosts No. 17 California-San Ramon on Friday. Page to Homestead: Recordbreaking running back Darrell Page, who left St. Francis after leading the Lancers to a state D-2AA championship last season, has enrolled at Homestead-Cupertino.
According to Homestead athletic director Steve Lavelle, the senior will be eligible to play for his new school Oct. 10.
Page left St. Francis sometime in the offseason for “unspecified reasons,” according to Lancers coach Greg Calcagno. The 5-10, 185-pounder rushed for a Central Coast Section-best 2,295 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2017.
Homestead is 0-3 and lost 58-6 to Sacred Heart Cathedral at Kezar Stadium on Friday. The Mustangs, a combined 33-32 under coach Mike Lewis since 2012, host King’s Academy on Friday. Speaking of the Irish: In SHC’s victory over Homestead, senior quarterback Peyton Monasco was 8-for-10 for 235 yards and three touchdowns as the Irish improved to 2-1. Anthony Heard rushed nine times for 144 yards and one TD (an 81-yarder) and had two catches for 104 yards, including a 76-yard TD.
Levar Watkins Jr. rushed for a 12-yard touchdown and had three catches for 46 yards and another score. Five SHC players scored touchdowns.
Under second-year coach Barry McLaughlin, the Irish figured to struggle after so many key seniors graduated off last year’s 6-5 team.
Instead, the Irish looked good Friday, as well as during a 20-7 win over Fernley (Nev.) and a 17-14 loss to Palma-Salinas, which beat then-No. 8 Menlo-Atherton on Friday.
The Irish have a bye this week before opening West Catholic Athletic League play Sept. 21 at Kezar against 12thranked Valley Christian (2-1).