Jahzare Jackson is currently entered into the 2024 NBA Draft pool while also pursuing a future in college football. The massive 20-year-old worked out at Florida State’s recruiting camp over the weekend and immediately turned heads when he walked into the room.
Everybody wanted to know who he is!
Jackson, an offensive tackle prospect, spent the last few years focusing on basketball. After being homeschooled throughout his middle school years, the Georgia-native played his freshman and sophomore seasons at IMG Academy. At that point, he decided to join Overtime Elite as part of the league’s inaugural class.
His team won three-straight championships and he is kind of a big deal. Jackson has more than 350,000 followers on Instagram!
Upon arrival to OTE, Jackson was listed at 6-foot-11, 350 pounds. A significant transformation in his physical conditioning and diet allowed him to quickly shed weight, improve mobility and gain strength.
He is listed around 320 pounds today.
Jackson declared for the NBA Draft back in April. It is possible that an organization could take a flier on the much-improved center late in the second round, but it is more likely that he would sign with a team as an undrafted free agent for Summer League.
There is another path forward as well.
Jahzare Jackson is also pursuing football!
Prior to his focus on basketball, Jackson was an elite offensive tackle prospect as well. Schools like Alabama and Ohio State preemptively offered him a scholarship before the seventh grade.
His football career was put on hold until Jackson returned to the gridiron in Tallahassee!
There is obviously a lot of room for growth. Jackson is raw. That was clear early on when he took a false step during one of the positional drills.
This drill is about generating power from hips in a short area.
— Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone) June 9, 2024
Jahzare Jackson’s first rep is a bit of a false step.
Second one generates a bit more power 😂 pic.twitter.com/3AALinfqTG
However, there is serious upside to his frame and he was starting to generate a lot of power with each consecutive rep.
2026 OL prospect G'Nivre Carr (61) and OT Jahzare Johnson (75) a former HS basketball player at the Seminoles Elite Camp on Sunday. @Osceola_Rivals @Rivals pic.twitter.com/iqRlcfPmM3
— Patrick Burnham (@OsceolaPat) June 9, 2024
Jackson got much better as the day went on.
Jahzare Jackson got better in 1 on 1s as day went on.
— Brendan Sonnone (@BSonnone) June 9, 2024
Obviously raw. But steady progress throughout day in each drill he did. pic.twitter.com/bm94ejanNX
Much smaller defensive recruits didn’t stand a chance.
One of the most intriguing prospects at the Elite Camp today. 6’9 Jahzare Jackson, former basketball player, learning to play offensive tackle. Nearly everyone saw him walk in and wanted to know who he was. Remember the name. @Osceola_Rivals
— Nick Carlisle (@NCarlisleRivals) June 10, 2024
Here’s a 1-on-1 rep from today. pic.twitter.com/rfTx4zUKL0
It is going to be interesting to see what happens with Jahzare Jackson over the next few weeks. On one end, he might have the opportunity to join an NBA team — at least on the G-League level. On the other end, offensive tackles are at a premium in college football and his tremendous upside will presumably provide him multiple opportunities to move back over to the gridiron.