The Re-Recruitment of Jeremy Jackson Jr.

PICTURED: Jeremy Jackson Jr. Jeremy Jackson Jr. 6'3" | SG Columbia Academy | 2025 State TN

Despite what little you heard publicly much is happening in the recruitment of Jeremy Jackson Jr.

Way back in August of 2024...back when most Americans still did not know Kamala Harris...[highschool_tooltip highschool_id='2603975' name='Columbia Academy'] superstar guard Jeremy Jackson Jr. verbally committed to Trevecca Nazarene University. A Top 10 player in the state picking a D2 school is historically rare, and Jeremy did it proactively. Early. Why? TNU Head Coach Kevin Carroll and staff.

The second-year Trevecca Nazarene University head coach was mere months removed from winning 16 games, a 14-win improvement from the year prior! In that first season Coach Carroll exceeded all expectations and breathed life into a dormant, sleeping giant. TNU reached the Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament. Then it got better.

The 2024-2025 team set an NCAA DII era program record for wins in a season, for the second consecutive year. The 14 conference wins is also a new D2 era standard. In their first year in the historically strong NCAA DII South Region, the Trojans were ranked for 12 consecutive weeks in the D2CCA South Region Poll. The team capped the season by reaching the postseason tournament for the second consecutive year, this time as the fourth seed in the Gulf South Conference.

Suddenly Trevecca was a destination school in a destination city. A Nashville D2 power.

And future home of Jeremy Jackson Jr. The path was clear; the path was decided. Then those two terrifying words every committed recruit hates popped up.

Coaching Carousel.

Texas A&M hired Samford's Bucky. Samford hired Lipscomb's Lennie Acuff, a native Alabaman. That second Coach Carroll considered the coach-in-waiting for Lipscomb's job as he had previously thrived as an assistant and recruiter under Lennie Acuff at Lipscomb was gone.

'Truthfully, I wish we could clone him for our next coach,' said Trevecca Athletic Director Mark Elliott.

Coach Carroll earned his first Division 1 head coaching job.

When a coach leaves a program every person on staff and every player in the program or entering the program is as certain of their future as a leaf blowing in tornado. They might stay on the tree, but the wind is not helping.

'Fortunately for Jeremy, when a couple schools heard that Coach Carroll might be leaving [for Lipscomb University], they let me know if Jeremy needs a home they will have one for him,' shared Columbia Academy Head Coach Jarrett Jones Wednesday morning. 'That let me rest a little easier.'

The day Lipscomb formally introduced Kevin Carroll to the Lipscomb community, staff, and media Trevecca announced the hiring on Carroll's exceptional recruiter Nate Moran. Trevecca was hiring in-house!

'I think that he was excited to hear that Coach Moran got the job,' said Coach Jones. 'That is who recruited him. He dealt with him a lot. I think he talked with Coach Moran last night and about what is going on.'

Coach Moran made it a point to talk to Jeremy right away upon the hiring. That is key. A coach that does not want you does not put forth that effort.

Yesterday he was looking forward to talking to Coach Moran.

Jeremy Jackson Jr. is a player worthy of recruiting and re-recruiting. His impact will be significant at the college level.

'I am excited to kind of see what he develops into,' said Coach Jones. 'High skill set. Strong kid. Unfortunately for him his strength was kind of used against him. A chance to play a more physical game. A chance to use his strong build. Get to the rim. And defensively, it will be a quick adjustment for him. Mentally, that adjustment can be hard for any kid. Strong shooter. Sees the floor well. He has all of the tools. I am anxious to see him excel. And see what kind of player he grows into. He can excel off of the ball. He can also handle as the primary.'

Throughout his high school career Jeremy Jackson Jr. was ranked in our Top 10. His athleticism is unmatched at the guard position, reminding of Jaden Springer. A college-ready body. High-character.

'He was thrown in a role where he had to do everything for us to compete every night,' said Coach Jones. 'It made him elevate and learn how to make other guys better. Which I think will be crucial for him, no matter what his role is. He had to do a little bit of everything and had to be 'the guy.' That kind of pressure helps grow you. I think that was a big deal for him. He became our primary ball-handler two years ago. He had always played a 3/4. Going to that showed him that he needed to get in the gym more. He loves the gym. He loves the game. I know next year, like every freshman does...when he gets punched in the mouth, I know that he is going to be ready.'

As this past fortnight is evidence of change occurs fast in April. Another storm could attack the tree, but for now the leaf remains intact. Firm.

'As of right now he is still solid in his decision.'