Welcome home, fellow Gator.

The Gator Nation's oldest and most active insider community
Join today!

Kahleil Jackson reflects on ‘long journey’ from walk-on QB to starting WR

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by Gatorrick22, Oct 22, 2023.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Oct 22, 2023 #1
    Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

    89,620
    27,032
    4,613
    Apr 3, 2007
    This guy might one day be one of our best ever walk-ons Gator. It's amazing how bright this young man's future is in Gainesville.
    [​IMG]


    Jackson is the son of former Florida and NFL receiver Willie Jackson Jr. He played under Steve Spurrier from 1990-93 and led the SEC in receptions (62) and receiving yards (772 yards) in 1992. Jackson spent nine years in the NFL before getting into coaching.

    “It was his decision to push me towards quarterback. I think he wanted to coach a quarterback. He wanted to be a quarterback coach,” Jackson said with a laugh of his father, now the head coach at PK Yonge High School.

    Jackson finished his high school career with 4,214 passing yards, 66 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns. During his senior season at Hawthorne under former Florida tight end Cornelius Ingram, Jackson led the Hornets to a 12-0 record as they averaged over 51 points a game.

    The position change took some convincing from multiple UF coaches and his father. After Johnson left for the Eagles, Jackson was approached in the offseason by new quarterbacks coach Garrick McGee, wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales and Mullen about making the move


    Kahleil Jackson reflects on ‘long journey’ from walk-on QB to starting WR

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2023
    • Funny Funny x 10
    • Like Like x 7
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  2. Oct 22, 2023 #2
    FranceGator

    FranceGator GC Hall of Fame

    3,999
    1,248
    1,993
    Apr 8, 2007
    So much for the chatter that he isn’t fast.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Winner Winner x 1
  3. Oct 22, 2023 #3
    n210sgator

    n210sgator All American

    383
    173
    1,813
    Jan 11, 2015
    Neptune Beach
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  4. Oct 22, 2023 #4
    trey65

    trey65 VIP Member

    2,603
    1,001
    2,048
    Aug 30, 2014
    Tampa Bay
    He really saved our bacon that first half against USCe! We have some weapons at WR. Douglas, Wilson, K. Jackson, Burke, Pearsall. The 2024 class does not appear to have any great WR's so far according to the rankings. Am I mistaken? I forgot to mention Mizell and Boardingham. Any stud receivers for next years class? I know we are trying to get the OSU committ but dont think its happening in my negative opinion.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  5. Oct 22, 2023 #5
    trey65

    trey65 VIP Member

    2,603
    1,001
    2,048
    Aug 30, 2014
    Tampa Bay
    That kid is terrific! He's related to Terry Jackson from the national title team (1996).
     
  6. Oct 22, 2023 #6
    trey65

    trey65 VIP Member

    2,603
    1,001
    2,048
    Aug 30, 2014
    Tampa Bay
    He is great but Doering was a walk on also. I love hearing these walk on stories!
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
    • Like Like x 2
  7. Oct 22, 2023 #7
    n210sgator

    n210sgator All American

    383
    173
    1,813
    Jan 11, 2015
    Neptune Beach
    More importantly – he’s related to “WILLIE TOUCHDOWN JACKSON” - from the eighties:)
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  8. Oct 22, 2023 #8
    tripsright

    tripsright GC Legend

    611
    287
    1,688
    Dec 2, 2021
    Florida
    Kerwin Bell was a walk-on. All he did was deliver UF’s first SEC Championship, UF’s first recognition as National Champions, and 1984 SEC Player of the Year….all as a redshirt Freshman.
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2023
    • Winner Winner x 5
    • Like Like x 3
    • Best Post Ever Best Post Ever x 1
  9. Oct 23, 2023 #9
    tommyvee

    tommyvee VIP Member

    18,207
    9,505
    3,293
    May 16, 2007
    4* Jerrae Hawkins - IMG guy, small shifty
    4* Tawaski Abrams - former FSU commit…another slot guy
    3* Izaiah Williams - got hurt JR year, so better than his ratings. Offers from Bama and Texas.

    We need one more outside big body guy. Jeremiah Smith would be nice here.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 2
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  10. Oct 23, 2023 #10
    trey65

    trey65 VIP Member

    2,603
    1,001
    2,048
    Aug 30, 2014
    Tampa Bay
    Tommyyee, thank you for bringing me up to speed on these recruits.
    Napier is bringing in the talent. Should be fun.
     
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  11. Oct 23, 2023 #11
    trey65

    trey65 VIP Member

    2,603
    1,001
    2,048
    Aug 30, 2014
    Tampa Bay
    I watched his first game against Miami (the old Tampa stadium) while I was in Minnesota with my dad. He was way down the depth chart......
     
    • Like Like x 1
  12. Oct 23, 2023 #12
    gatorranger7

    gatorranger7 GC Legend

    659
    671
    1,988
    Jun 8, 2007
    LOVE legacy players. Terry was one of the best on a team of great players and men.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  13. Oct 23, 2023 #13
    UF24ou14

    UF24ou14 GC Hall of Fame

    3,895
    4,528
    2,178
    Apr 19, 2009
    Love he's a Gator, but gonna be hard to top Nat Moore and Louis Oliver.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  14. Oct 23, 2023 #14
    Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

    89,620
    27,032
    4,613
    Apr 3, 2007
    Doering is right now the best, but who will be the best after his time in Gainesville is done? Who knows... but it's fun to speculate.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. Oct 23, 2023 #15
    HomeGrownGator

    HomeGrownGator Senior

    229
    88
    1,833
    Jun 4, 2007
    Indeed! :D

    Louis Oliver
     
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  16. Oct 23, 2023 #16
    Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

    89,620
    27,032
    4,613
    Apr 3, 2007
    Oliver was good too, but the story is still being written on Kahleil Jackson.

    By the way fix your post... it's embedded in my post.
     
  17. Oct 23, 2023 #17
    Crusher

    Crusher GC Hall of Fame

    6,399
    1,468
    2,143
    Apr 19, 2007
    I did not realize Nat Moore was a walk-on.
     
    • Agree Agree x 5
  18. Oct 23, 2023 #18
    UF24ou14

    UF24ou14 GC Hall of Fame

    3,895
    4,528
    2,178
    Apr 19, 2009
    Your first sentence was about him being the best walk on ever. So, you're going to get disagreements, regardless of whether the story was on Kahleil Jackson.
     
  19. Oct 23, 2023 #19
    UF24ou14

    UF24ou14 GC Hall of Fame

    3,895
    4,528
    2,178
    Apr 19, 2009
    Yep, he was driving a truck in Miami, and I think someone recommended him to Doug Dickey.
     
    • Informative Informative x 2
  20. Oct 23, 2023 #20
    bullish

    bullish GC Hall of Fame

    3,170
    1,133
    1,853
    Nov 14, 2010
    Don’t forget Andy Jean!
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
Page 1 of 3