Miami football finalists, but long shots for top 2 Nebraska prospects
The Miami football program were named finalists for the top two 2022 prospects in Nebraska on Saturday but is likely a longshot to sign both. Four-star prospects, outside linebacker Devon Jackson and guard Deshawn Woods each named the Hurricanes in their top five finalists released on Twitter on Saturday.
Jackson and Woods are childhood friends who are both from Omaha. but attend separate high schools. Jackson attends Burke High School and Woods matriculates at Central. Both named Arizona State and Texas A&M as three of the five schools with the Miami football program that Jackson and Woods have in common.
Jackson and Woods hope to play together in college. Notre Dame and Oklahoma were the other two programs named by Jackson. Woods named Florida and Missouri as the other two schools he is considering in his top five. Jackson praised Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Texas A&M in an interview with the Lincoln Journal-Star.
Jackson told the Husker extra blog on the Journal-Star that he is working out in his head about the chance to play for the Sooners, Fighting Irish, or Aggies. Jackson is the 137th ranked player overall, the 11th ranked outside LB and the second-ranked player in Nebraska behind Woods.
"“Even going through my head while I’m working out is, I’ve got a chance to play defense for Oklahoma, I’ve got a chance to play defense for Notre Dame, I’ve got a chance to play defense for Texas A&M. Schools like that, you have to be one of the best in the country.”"
Woods is the 101st ranked player, third-ranked offensive guard nationally and the top-ranked player in Nebraska for 2022. Miami signed Leonard Seymore in the Class of 2021 who is the 180th ranked player, 11th ranked OG and 28th ranked player in Florida. Miami would probably like to sign at least one guard for 2022.
https://twitter.com/Deshawnwoods8/status/1363195992217161731?s=20
Jackson is planning on taking his time in making a decision and could wait until the traditional National Signing Day in February 2022 before signing a Letter of Intent. The vast majority of players now sign on Early National Signing Day in December. Jackson spoke to the Omaha World-Herald about his recruitment.
"“If I have to make my decision on the last signing day, I will because I’m not going to be one of those guys who commits, decommits, recommits…I’m not doing all that. Waste of time. To me, that’s clout-chasing, in a way — you’re doing it for the media and not for yourself.”"
Neither player played in 2020 as Nebraska high schools canceled their football season last fall and are not making it up this spring. Jackson has a crystal ball from 247 Sports for Notre Dame, while there are none currently for Woods. Notre Dame 2020 signee Xavier Watts was a high school teammate of Jackson.
Watts had been in touch with Jackson and leaning on him to sign with the Fighting Irish. Signing Jackson and Watts would be big additions to a Miami football roster that is not deep at linebacker or guard looking towards the future. Miami only has commits from defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland and defensive end Jamaal Johnson.