Central Florida has been at the center of investigation discussions so far this summer, whether it be about the Kevin Ware and Ken Caldwell saga, or DaMarcus Smith favoring Louisville and suddenly bolting for the Knights.
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But the investigation talks are starting to trouble some 2012 recruits and their families. Jeffersontown’s DeMichael Jackson is one of those players.
[B]”I’m dropping Central Florida[/B] because of the investigation and probation stuff,” Jackson began. “My mother didn’t want me to get involved in anything like that.”
NCAA investigators were even supposed to pay a visit to Jackson last week to discuss UCF and any illegal contact the coaching staff (or runners) had with the 5-foot-10 athlete.
“The investigators talked to my coach about some of it too, and he told me to get away from them, too.”
Nevertheless, Jackson still says he has feelings to what UCF presents.
“I still love the fans and everything, but I can’t let something I’m not a part of damage my football career.”
With that being said, he has a new top five (no order): Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Cincinnati, and Tennessee.
“I’m really looking at Indiana. They want me to be a running back and I like their coaching staff. I’m talking to UK too, though.”
His high school season is starting to get underway, and official visits will soon follow.
“I’m getting ready to set up visits and everything too. I’m going to go to Indiana and Arkansas, and probably Cincinnati. And I’m going to try to get to Tennessee,” he explained.
But don’t count UCF out as far as a visit, as Jackson said “I still may go visit UCF, but I’m not sure yet. It looks like we are done, though.”
Jackson isn’t the only Kentucky-state recruit to drop UCF in the past week.
[B]Tyrone Pearson[/B] has supposedly ended his interest in UCF and is supposed to decide between Kentucky and Louisville soon; Jackson’s teammate, [B]Daniel Ross[/B], also says he is done with the Knights.
While [B]Anthony “Ace” Wales[/B] has yet to officially drop UCF, he told me this:
“I haven’t dropped UCF yet, but with all the probation stuff, it is very likely. I don’t want to get into all that.”
Moore’s [B]Mekale McKay[/B] is also one to watch in the next couple of weeks. He has been in Orlando participating in an AAU tournament for the week, and he is supposed to be visiting UCF today.
McKay’s ties with quarterback DaMarcus Smith could keep UCF in the picture, but there is nothing set quite yet.
