One day after the 2020 NFL Draft concluded with LSU tying a record for the most draft picks in a single draft (14), four-star Texarkana Pleasant Grove defensive end Landon Jackson gave his verbal pledge to the Tigers.

"The draft, I’m not gonna lie, really did top it off," Jackson said. "I’ve always had a really good relationship with Coach O [Ed Orgergon]. He made sure to find a way talk to me at least two times a week. I feel like I have a really good chance at playing early there as well. Those are two main reasons why."

Jackson chose the national champions over offers from just about every top program in the country, including Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC.

Pleasant Grove head coach Josh Gibson thinks the 6-foot-6, 257-pound two-time state champion will play early in Baton Rouge.

"I think when he goes to the next level, a lot of prima donnas that are Division I players haven’t had to kill themselves to get everything out of them all the time, and Landon has learned to give everything he’s got not on a daily basis, but on a rep-by-rep basis," Gibson said. "He runs every rep like it’s the last play of a state championship game, and that’s why you’ll see him play early in college like so many coaches have told him.

"We’ve had Division I running backs and he’ll change direction better than those guys in 5-10-5 drills. When we run sprints, whether it’s a 200, a 40, a 400 that kid is going to finish in the top two even against running backs and receivers."

Jackson took time to play a game of "Word Association" with Dave Campbell's Texas Football. 

Ed Orgeron: A really exciting coach. Someone that I can’t wait to play for.

Ed Orgeron’s voice: [laughs] It’s a little different, but I’ve gotten to the point where I can understand everything.

Death Valley at night: The best place to be in the whole world on a Saturday night.

LSU: Home

TXHSFB: Best high school football in the country

Pleasant Grove’s chances of winning back-to-back state titles: 100 percent

The eye black you cover your face with: Something I need to make sure I play how I want to play.

Pleasant Grove defensive lineman Marcus Burris, and fellow DCTF 2020 Preseason Whataburger Super Team First-Team selection: That’s by far my best friend. He’s been my boy ever since second grade. It’s been a blessing to play with him.

Pleasant Grove defensive line: I’d take our D-line over everyone in the state. Cameron Winkly

Quarterbacks: The main leader of the football team, and somebody I don’t like if they are on the other team.

Josh Gibson: By far the best coach in the state. I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else.

NFL: That’s my dream, the end goal.