2021 4-Star Athlete Changes Commitment from Minnesota to Purdue

Photo: Mike Mantucca | Naperville Sun

Just a couple weeks after Albert Regis decided to decommit from Minnesota, the Gophers have received yet another decommitment. Worse yet, he’s heading to a Big Ten West rival, Purdue. ATH Sam Jackson, of Naperville Central (IL) High School, decommitted from Minnesota (for the second time).


According to GopherIllustrated.com (member boards), the 5’11” Jackson is decomitting because he wants to be the star QB (my words not theirs). That’s probably not going to happen with 4-star Antioch (IL) QB, Athan Kaliakmanis already committed in the 2021 class QB.

While Jackson is listed as an ATH on 247sports.com, he instead projects himself as a QB. In his sophomore year, Jackson corralled in 50 catches for 900 yards, including 14 of those catches coming as TD’s, so he’s definitely no slouch at WR, either… but he wants a shot at chucking the pigskin, instead of reeling it in.



Jackson has had a controversial recruiting road, to say the least. He first committed to the Gophers in February of 2019, but then decommitted in January of 2020, just to commit to the Gophers again in April. Now, he’s off the boat again. Athan has been committed through both of Jackson’s stints in the boat… so nothing has changed from the Gophers’ side of things.

The 4-star committed to the Gophers over the likes of Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Iowa, among others. He is ranked as the #30 overall ATH in the 2021 class and #9 overall player in Illinios. The shocker was his immediate commitment to Purdue. Rumblings of his decommitment have been there for the last few days… but many had him off to Notre Dame, until this shocker.

Here’s what 247sports.com analyst Allen Trieu had to say about Jackson:


Fast, makes cuts at full speed and shows great ball skills for someone who has not played full-time receiver yet. Also has a strong arm at quarterback. The main question there is size as far as being a college signal caller.

— Allen Trieu | 247Sports.com

With the Gophers class currently ranked 9th overall, it figures to take a pretty big hit after Jackson’s decommitment.

Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan

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