Miami Lands Demetrius Jackson, a DL Recruit Who Has Yet to Play in High School

The top recruiting class in the Atlantic Coast Conference for 2014 grew even larger Friday as the Miami Hurricanes landed an intriguing defensive end prospect, Demetrius Jackson, as reported by Dieter Kurtenbach of the Sun Sentinel.

Jackson chose the Canes over offers from Florida International, Louisville and Arkansas.

The only catch: the Miami native has yet to play a single down of high school football.

Previously just a basketball player, the 6'4", 230-pound prospect only started playing with Miami football powerhouse Booker T. Washington this spring—but his performances in spring practice impressed coaches so much that he earned his first three scholarship offers.

According to Kurtenbach, Jackson is a close friend of Denver Kirkland, a 247Sports composite 4-star who joined Arkansas in the class of 2013.

Jackson verbally committed to the Razorbacks June 20, though the school didn't accept his commitment as he had not yet visited Fayetteville. 

At that point, Miami intervened and accepted the verbal commitment of Jackson, who explained his choice in a text message to Kurtenbach.

"I grew up a Cane," Jackson told Kurtenbach. "UM produces great defensive ends and it's a great program overall."

Jackson is commitment No. 19 for the Canes' 2014 recruiting class, which is rated No. 5 nationally and No. 1 among ACC programs in the 247Sports composite rankings.

The Miami native is the third defensive line commit in the class for "The U," as he joins Miami Northwestern product and 3-star defensive end Mike Smith and 3-star junior college prospect Dalvon Stuckey of Pearl River Community College in Mississippi.

Though Jackson is undoubtedly the least experienced of the bunch, he may be the most athletically gifted.

According to Kurtenbach, the 6'4" end runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash.

No experience? No problem.