Jackson Represents a Cougar Recruiting Coup
In case you missed the article that was in this morning's printed version of The Salt Lake Tribune, Skyline guard Jenteal Jackson announced Thursday that she has orally committed to play college basketball for coach Jeff Judkins' program at BYU.
It's a pretty significant recruiting coup for the Cougars, considering that the University of Utah also offered Jackson a scholarship. Jackson is a four-year starter for the Eagles and averaged 11 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals a game last year in leading Skyline to a 22-2 record.
While talking to Jackson Thursday, I was impressed at how much thought and research she put into the decision. She brought up issues, some fairly personal, that most recruits don't always consider. I could tell that she agonized over the choice for months.
Skyline coach Deb Bennett told me that Jackson is one of the most grounded, mature individuals she has ever coached and will succeed at any school in the country.
Jackson said it was a very difficult decision because her family has close ties to the University of Utah and because her cousin, Marc Jackson, enjoyed a very successful basketball career at the U.
Also, Jenteal Jackson is not a member of the LDS Church, BYU's sponsoring institution. It is not often that BYU wins a recruiting battle with Utah for a non-LDS recruit from Utah. Jackson said adhering to BYU's honor code and adjusting to Provo won't be a big deal "because I pretty much live that kind of lifestyle, anyway."
It probably didn't hurt BYU that Jackson's Skyline teammate, Dani Peterson, has already committed to the Cougars, and her teammate from 2006, Jaime Judkins, is also on the team. But there's no discounting the recruiting prowess of Jeff Judkins.
When he was an assistant men's coach at Utah, Judkins was able to lure several LDS athletes to Utah that were seemingly destined to go to BYU, guys such as Viewmont's Alex Jensen, South Summit's Craig Rydalch and Britton and Jeff Johnsen of Murray.
Looks like he's got the same magic going at BYU.
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On Friday the Salt Lake Community College's women's basketball program played host to many of the top juco teams around the West in its Basketball Jamboree.
Saturday, the men get their turn at the Lifetime Activities Center
Games begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around 4 p.m.
The Bruins are ranked No. 15 in the first NJCAA poll of the season, and sophomore shooting guard Brian Green, from Davis High, has been named a preseason All-American by the NJCAA.
A lot of Division I college recruiters are expected to attend. Here's a list of the other schools that will compete in Saturday's scrimmages:
Western Nebraska, Snow College, College of Eastern Utah, Colorado Northwestern, Northwest College, Laramie County Community College, Treasure Valley Community College, Western Wyoming.
It's a pretty significant recruiting coup for the Cougars, considering that the University of Utah also offered Jackson a scholarship. Jackson is a four-year starter for the Eagles and averaged 11 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals a game last year in leading Skyline to a 22-2 record.
While talking to Jackson Thursday, I was impressed at how much thought and research she put into the decision. She brought up issues, some fairly personal, that most recruits don't always consider. I could tell that she agonized over the choice for months.
Skyline coach Deb Bennett told me that Jackson is one of the most grounded, mature individuals she has ever coached and will succeed at any school in the country.
Jackson said it was a very difficult decision because her family has close ties to the University of Utah and because her cousin, Marc Jackson, enjoyed a very successful basketball career at the U.
Also, Jenteal Jackson is not a member of the LDS Church, BYU's sponsoring institution. It is not often that BYU wins a recruiting battle with Utah for a non-LDS recruit from Utah. Jackson said adhering to BYU's honor code and adjusting to Provo won't be a big deal "because I pretty much live that kind of lifestyle, anyway."
It probably didn't hurt BYU that Jackson's Skyline teammate, Dani Peterson, has already committed to the Cougars, and her teammate from 2006, Jaime Judkins, is also on the team. But there's no discounting the recruiting prowess of Jeff Judkins.
When he was an assistant men's coach at Utah, Judkins was able to lure several LDS athletes to Utah that were seemingly destined to go to BYU, guys such as Viewmont's Alex Jensen, South Summit's Craig Rydalch and Britton and Jeff Johnsen of Murray.
Looks like he's got the same magic going at BYU.
********************
On Friday the Salt Lake Community College's women's basketball program played host to many of the top juco teams around the West in its Basketball Jamboree.
Saturday, the men get their turn at the Lifetime Activities Center
Games begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around 4 p.m.
The Bruins are ranked No. 15 in the first NJCAA poll of the season, and sophomore shooting guard Brian Green, from Davis High, has been named a preseason All-American by the NJCAA.
A lot of Division I college recruiters are expected to attend. Here's a list of the other schools that will compete in Saturday's scrimmages:
Western Nebraska, Snow College, College of Eastern Utah, Colorado Northwestern, Northwest College, Laramie County Community College, Treasure Valley Community College, Western Wyoming.
2 Comments:
The only reason why she went there is so she can golf.
C'mon - if Utah had a golf team she would have gone to Utah.
Not a stunner!
Days later I am still puzzled at your blog. Have you ever met Sue Nyhus, BYU golf coach? I taught with her at Hunter High School, she is one great lady. But let's give all the credit to Judkins. All your doing is trying to take a jab at Elaine Elliott. Try again, you can bet sue Nyhus is the reason Jackson is going to Provo!
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