Four-Star 2024 DB Antione Jackson Discusses Flipping To Miami
For Antione Jackson, the first person he thinks of when you say Miami Hurricanes is Duke Johnson.
When Jackson was making a name for himself on Greentree practice field at Legends Camp last weekend, he took a moment to collect himself when the running back came through the door.
"When he first pulled up in the Range Rover, I was acting like a kid," Jackson said. "Every time I see Duke Johnson I'm shocked it's Duke Johnson. That's the first football player that I knew growing up."
His admiration for Johnson goes back to his elementary school days, when he met him and maintained the same acclaim for the UM great.
"Even when I play Madden, if Duke and Phillip Dorsett aren't starting or are low on the depth chart, I'll go find them on the depth chart and put them in the game," he said. "It's the little things. I'm a big fan."
The four-star cornerback flipped his commitment from Georgia to Miami Saturday afternoon, becoming UM's first class of 2024 commit.
"It's a dream come true," Jackson said. "I grew up only knowing Miami. That was the only college football I knew. It's like time flies. I'm really living my dream. I'm not there yet, but putting on for my city is the first step toward living my dream."
The 6-foot cornerback recorded four interceptions, 12 pass deflections and two touchdowns last season at Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Florida). He played running back all the way through eighth grade before switching to defensive back as a freshman and starting from day one.
"I started at safety as a freshman, but I always knew I was going to play corner," Jackson said. "This year, I'm going to be moving everywhere. Corner, nickel and safety."
Jackson is teammates with three-star running back Christopher Johnson, who listed Miami in his top six schools list Friday.
"We talk about teaming up," Jackson said. "We didn't think it was going to be possible until Miami started recruiting both of us."
Jackson's families also have Miami ties, with his uncle being Dwayne Wimbley, who played basketball at UM from 1997-2000.
"I grew up a Miami fan, nothing like the crib," Jackson said. "Just to see the crib winning, it's nothing like it. I'm going to put on for my city, I'm going to give it my all.
Jackson is being recruited by Mario Cristobal and defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae, who impressed him at Georgia last season. Jackson can't receive texts or calls from coaches until September 1 because he's in the class of 2024. For now, he can only reach out to them.