Gateway’s Jackson picks Syracuse

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 27, 2018 | 8:39 PM

Courtney Jackson will go from Gateway black and gold to the orange of Syracuse.

The Gators junior gave a verbal committed to the Atlantic Coast Conference program Friday.

“It’s a big relief to know I have somewhere to go. It feels really good,” said Jackson, who Tweeted his decision shortly before 5 p.m. Friday.

Committed ? Orange Is The New Fast ? pic.twitter.com/d0KKx02lyE

— Courtney™ (@cjackson9_) April 27, 2018

His commitment to Syracuse was influenced by a visit to the campus and football facilities in late March.

“The coaching staff treated me right, and I really loved the campus,” Jackson said. “It definitely was a blessing to have options with some really great schools. But it was the right time. There wasn’t any reason to wait.”

Jackson was recruited by several Division I programs as other offers came in from the likes of Baylor, West Virginia, Kentucky, Boston College, Cincinnati and Temple, a number of Mid-American conference schools and the service academies.

“Courtney had a lot of options and opportunities, and at the end of the day, from talking to Courtney and a couple of the Syracuse coaches, it was a perfect marriage,” Gateway football coach Don Holl said.

“Our offense is similar to what they do. He should fit into their plans really well. It’s ACC football and a program on the rise.”

Jackson led the entire state of Pennsylvania in receiving touchdowns in 2017 with 24.

He caught 15 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns in Gateway’s 31-28 victory over Manheim Central in the PIAA Class 5A semifinals.

“Courtney is a phenomenal player, a tremendous student and a great person,” Holl said. “He still has a lot to do before we send him up (to Syracuse).”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.

Tags: Gateway