RECRUTING: Silverado’s Jackson chooses Utah State

Ladale Jackson had a wide range of options on the table when looking at colleges where he wanted to play.

As a standout cornerback in football and sprinter on Silverado’s track team, the senior had plenty of schools knocking on his door for multiple sports.

Jackson found one he feels is a perfect fit in athletics and academics, and he acted on it by giving an oral commitment to Utah State on Wednesday night.

“I come from a strong academic family,” said Jackson, who plans to study physical therapy at Utah State. “I always thought that school was first and football, second.”

Jackson chose Utah State over football scholarship offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, UNLV, UNR and Utah.

Jackson said he plans to compete in football and track at Utah State.

The 5-foot-11-inch, 165-pound Jackson has impressed college coaches and recruiters with his speed.

Jackson won last year’s Class 4A state title in the 400-meter dash in 49.29 seconds, and took third in the 200 in 22.21.

“(The Aggies) really like my breakout speed and the way I can cover and come back to the ball quickly,” he said.

In football, he’s recorded 27 tackles and one interception this season while catching nine passes for 253 yards and two scores for the Skyhawks (4-3).

Jackson said Utah State recruited him as a cornerback who could help in the return game, and he hopes to compete for playing time immediately.

“I’m looking forward to going up there and trying to start as a true freshman,” he said.