Former Georgia Tech commitment Tre Jackson went with the school that caused the Yellow Jackets to drop their football scholarship offer.
The Wayne County defensive lineman signed Wednesday with Florida State over North Carolina State, while also considering offers from Georgia, Alabama and Miami.
It was the final act in arguably the state's No. 1 recruiting soap opera over the last week. Until a week ago, Jackson was a longtime commitment to Tech.
"He feels really good to get everything over with. He's smiling again," Wayne County coach Jody Grooms said. "It's really good to see him smiling again and happy."
Last week, Tech became concerned when it failed to make contact with Jackson for several days -- never a good sign so close to signing day. They had heard rumors about last-minute flirtations between Jackson and Florida State and N.C. State.
When Tech coach Paul Johnson finally talked with Grooms last Thursday, Johnson learned that Jackson had agreed to take an official visit to FSU on the final recruiting weekend. Even though Jackson still was committed to the Jackets, both sides agreed to part ways.
Historically, Johnson has had a policy of rescinding scholarship offers to Tech commitments who visit other schools after they pledge to the Jackets.
"When you deal with recruiting, there are a lot of people with their hands in the pot and providing advice to these kids," Grooms said. "Georgia Tech handled Tre's recruitment very professionally. I don't have anything negative to say about that institution.
"I have a lot of respect for Coach Johnson and his policy dealing with prospects, especially committed prospects. I mean, I really have a lot of respect for that. There is no ‘ill will' on our end. I look forward to Georgia Tech hopefully getting the opportunity to recruit some other of our kids."
When Jackson took the recruiting trip to FSU last weekend, he was informed he may have to accept a grayshirt offer -- meaning his enrollment would be delayed until January 2012. However, FSU had a regular scholarship open up after another recruiting target went elsewhere, leading to Jackson signing with the Seminoles on Wednesday.
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