Big Cat 'boosts' Auburn for 4-star WR

AUBURN | Four-star wide receiver Kearis Jackson’s visit to Auburn Saturday was different, but it was supposed to be.

Jackson was one of 33 highly-ranked recruits on campus for the Tigers’ Big Cat event.

“I enjoyed everything, talking to the coaches and being around some of the top guys in the country,” Jackson said. “It was a blessing to be here.”

Jackson and the other recruits participated in pie-eating and watermelon-eating contests, karaoke and a scavenger hunt.

“This visit really was different. It was more outside of football, enjoying everything and having fun,” Jackson said. “The scavenger hunt was my favorite, just riding around campus with the coaches on the golf cart, just having fun."

Jackson, from Peach County, Ga., spent the majority of the visit with Auburn receivers coach Kodi Burns. The two have developed a strong bond during the recruiting process.

“He’s like a big brother,” Jackson said. “I talk to him almost every day. We played pool and did a lot of things together. It’s fun talking to him. He’s a young guy and motivated about his job. He explained how important I am to Auburn, how I could come in and play a big role and help win another championship.”

Jackson also spoke with Auburn sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who enrolled at Auburn in January. Stidham played as a freshman at Baylor where he built a reputation as a future star.

“(Stidham) said he heard a lot about me and that he can’t wait to throw me some balls,” Jackson said. “I heard he’s a great quarterback and is supposed to be the real deal.”

Jackson entered the visit with Auburn as one of his top schools, along with Georgia and Ohio State. The Tigers did nothing but help themselves throughout the day.

“It boosts them up,” Jackson said. “Auburn was already high on my list, but they went up a little bit more.”

Jackson is close friends with fellow four-star recruit Trey Hill, who is ranked the No. 2 offensive guard. Hill also attended Big Cat on Saturday and the two could end up playing together in college.

“We are very close,” Jackson said. “We plan on going to the same school.”

Jackson is on pace to graduate high school in December and enroll in college in January. He’ll decide which school he’ll attend sooner than later.

“After I take all my visits this summer,” Jackson said. “Either during the season or right before.”

Jackson plans to visit Ohio State “sometime in July” and also may visit Alabama June 17.

Rivals ranks Jackson, who stands six feet tall and weighs 190 pounds, the No. 33 wide receiver in the 2018 class and No. 159 in the Rivals250.