Montre Jackson is starting to narrow his focus, and Tennessee is firmly in the mix.
The four-star cornerback out of Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland, Texas, dropped his top eight schools over the weekend, and the Vols made the cut. Jackson, a standout in the Class of 2027, is one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the country, and his recruitment is heating up fast.
At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Jackson brings length, athleticism, and instincts that have caught the attention of nearly 40 programs nationwide. His top eight includes a heavy SEC flavor - Tennessee, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and of course, Texas - along with Oklahoma, Texas Tech, SMU, and Duke. It’s a competitive group, but Tennessee has done enough to stay in the conversation, and they’ll soon get their shot to make a stronger impression.
Jackson has yet to visit Knoxville, but that’s about to change. He’s already locked in an official visit for the weekend of June 19, and he’s also planning to be on campus in March for one of Tennessee’s spring practices. That early trip could be key in building momentum with a player who’s clearly doing his homework.
Jackson holds a Top247 ranking as the No. 168 overall prospect in the 2027 class and the No. 19 corner nationally. In the 247Sports Composite rankings, he checks in at No. 241 overall and No. 26 among corners. Either way, he’s one of the top juniors in the state of Texas - a major recruiting battleground - where he’s ranked No. 23 and No. 34, respectively, in those two systems.
Tennessee has been in the picture for a while. The Vols offered Jackson back in April, and their pursuit hasn’t slowed down since.
In fact, it’s picked up recently with the addition of new cornerbacks coach Michael Hunter Jr., who has wasted no time getting involved. Hunter, who previously worked with Ohio State’s cornerbacks as a defensive graduate assistant, made a trip to the Dallas area on January 20 to meet with Jackson in person.
That kind of face time matters, especially this early in the process.
According to Jackson, Hunter has been leading Tennessee’s recruitment and staying in frequent contact - “almost every day,” as Jackson described it. That consistency is critical when you’re trying to build trust with a young player and his circle, especially in a recruitment that’s shaping up to be as competitive as this one.
Jackson’s calendar is already filling up. He’s scheduled an official visit to Texas for the weekend of June 12, just a week before his Knoxville trip.
He’s also eyeing visits to Oklahoma, Texas A&M, SMU, and Duke. That kind of travel schedule tells you two things: he’s serious about exploring his options, and he’s not in a rush to make a decision.
Texas may have the early edge. Jackson recently attended a junior day in Austin and came away impressed, calling the Longhorns the current leader in his recruitment.
What’s separating them right now? According to Jackson, it’s the environment - and more specifically, how the people in the program make him feel.
“Everybody just treats me like I’m family,” he said. And in recruiting, that kind of connection can go a long way.
Still, Tennessee is very much in this race. With a spring visit on deck and an official scheduled for June, the Vols have a real opportunity to make a move. The pieces are in place - a new position coach with energy and experience, a consistent communication effort, and a clear interest from the player himself.
Now it’s about showing Jackson what life in Knoxville could look like - on and off the field. Because in the end, that’s what will separate the contenders from the rest.