Dontavious Jackson Announces Top 5: Which School Has Best Chance to Land 4-Star?

With national signing day rapidly approaching, the race to land 4-star linebacker Dontavious Jackson is coming into focus.

On Monday, the nation’s No. 7-ranked inside linebacker and No. 122-ranked player overall in the 2016 class announced a final group that includes Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Michigan and Texas. He will make his decision on signing day.

"

February 3rd. #Blessed pic.twitter.com/bDdz9dMTDD

— Dontavious Jackson (@DJACKV_) January 18, 2016"

Last month, Jackson told VSporto’s Recruitniks podcast that he had a good idea of his five finalists but wanted to wait before releasing that list.

“I want to talk it over with my mom and basically, my list is narrowed down,” Jackson said. “I don’t want to release that right now, but it's down to a good five schools. I’m just ready to make that next step.”

He’s already taken official visits to Florida, Florida State and Michigan. He has a trip on deck to Alabama this weekend.

Texas, the only in-state school on his list, has hosted him unofficially on numerous occasions—with his last visit coming for the Longhorns' win over Kansas in November.

Will the Longhorns be able to reel in one of the top defenders from the Lone Star State or will he leave his home state for a powerhouse located in the ACC, Big Ten or SEC?

Heading into his Alabama visit, the two teams that appear to be trending with the 6’2”, 239-pounder are Florida State and Texas.

The Longhorns have been the favorites to land the Under Armour All-American.

As he explained to EJ Holland of Horns247 recently, his comfort level with head coach Charlie Strong and his staff is the main factor that has the ‘Horns in his final group.

“Every time I go up there, it feels like family,” Jackson told Holland. “I’ve been up there so many times. I already feel like I’m a part of that Texas family.”

He has yet to schedule a visit on the final weekend before signing day. If Texas were to get him on campus that weekend, it could be huge for its chances to keep the Houston native closer to home.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles have a big need at the linebacker position and have identified Jackson as one of their top priorities down the stretch.

Ace recruiter and tight ends coach Tim Brewster is leading Florida State's charge, but members of its star-studded class—which currently sits at No. 4 nationally—are also pitching him hard on joining them in Tallahassee.

“I know from Florida State, you have Naseir Upshur, Levonta Taylor, Malik Henry. They are all on me pretty hard,” Jackson told Recruitniks when asked about which of his peers is recruiting him the hardest.

The ‘Noles seem to be the top out-of-state contender for Jackson at the moment, but his visit to see the defending national champions this weekend could change that.

Regardless, his comfort level with the Texas program may be the primary reason the Longhorns are able to fend off the Tide, Gators, ‘Noles and Wolverines in the end.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.