Virginia LB Nick Jackson reportedly visiting Iowa this weekend

By Jerry Ratcliffe

While Virginia coach Tony Elliott said this week he hopes that standout linebacker Nick Jackson will withdraw his name from the transfer portal and remain with the Cavaliers, Jackson is reportedly visiting Iowa’s football program this weekend.

“[Jackson] is enrolled (at Virginia), so that gives you a chance, but I really haven’t put a ton of pressure on him,” Elliott said during Wednesday’s small media gathering. “He was at [the recent UVA football] banquet, he was voted a team captain and I had a chance to see him.

“I’d love to see him come back … I think he can do some things that can kind of put him up there amongst the greats in school history. But at the end of the day, I understand he’s earned the opportunity to look around and see what else is out there.”

What else is out there appears to be Iowa, Oklahoma and LSU, the three schools that Jackson is reportedly considering for a transfer according to a publication that covers the Iowa Hawkeyes. The publication also reported that Jackson is taking an official visit to Iowa this weekend and could make things official.

As of midweek, Elliott wasn’t aware of Jackson’s intentions.

“I don’t think we’re at that point yet … I’m not aware of him making the decision,” the UVA coach said. “I know he’s still going through his process of evaluating schools. I know (defensive coordinator John) Coach Rud and Coach (Clint) Sintim keep in contact with him. Nick is going to graduate from the University of Virginia.”

Jackson, who started 33 games for the Cavaliers, could fill a big need for the Hawkeyes. He could also be a key returner for UVA, which hopes to continue the defensive progress it made last season in Rudd’s first year as coordinator.