Ex-Henry County star leaves Bama, eyes Tech

By LARRY HARTSTEIN

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As a coveted wide receiver from Henry County, Chris Jackson became the first player to commit to Georgia Tech’s 2008 recruiting class.

Then coach Chan Gailey was fired, Paul Johnson was hired, and Jackson signed with Alabama instead.

Now multiple news outlets are reporting that Jackson, who played mostly special teams as a freshman, has been granted permission to transfer and is targeting ACC schools. (Alabama coach Nick Saban won’t release him to an SEC foe).

Scout.com is reporting Jackson will meet with Johnson on Monday. Jackson’s former offensive coordinator at Henry County, Rex Robertson, told Alabama news outlets that Jackson is leaving because he wants an opportunity to play and didn’t see one developing. As a freshman, Jackson played very little at receiver and made six tackles on special teams.

The 6-1, 190-pounder from McDonough has no hard feelings toward Alabama, Robertson told The Birmingham News.

“The reason is his football career,” Roberton said. “He doesn’t just want to be there and get a degree. He wants to play.”

Coming out of high school, Jackson was rated a four-star recruit by Scout.com and a three-star by Rivals.com. He scored 56 career touchdowns for the Warhawks, averaging 18.4 yards per reception as a junior and senior.

Here’s what Jackson told the AJC in December 2007 about his decision to de-commit from Tech:

“I got to know the coaches at Tech real well, and the coaching change just really hurt me. I was concerned about the offense...a lot. [Johnson] said they run it a lot more than they throw it. They were honest.”

Tech ran 79 percent of the time in Year 1 of Johnson’s option-based offense. It didn’t stop wideout Demaryius Thomas from catching 39 balls for 627 yards. And the Jackets surprised everyone by going 9-4 and winning a share of the ACC Coastal Division.

Tech aims to expand its passing game in Year 2.

According to the Birmingham News, Duke also is interested in Jackson.

“He hasn’t spoken to anyone yet,” Robertson told the newspaper. “He’s going to be speaking to some people in the next week or two.”