OL Jackson Kimble is commit No. 1 for Baylor in 2018
The Baylor coaches hosted dozens of 2018 prospects at the program's first junior day event this weekend and the day ended with two new commitments.
Southlake Carroll offensive tackle Jackson Kimble became the program's first 2018 commitment, a decision that was a long time in the making.
"I have loved Baylor for a long time," Kimble said. "My Dad had a friend from law school who attended Baylor and when we moved to Southlake I was about 5-6 years old. My Dad's friend took us to a football game and we toured the campus that day. I knew even back then that I loved the campus and everything about Baylor.
"I probably have more Baylor stuff than any kid in Southlake. I just grew up loving the program and following the Bears every season. So when the new coaching staff started recruiting my teammates and eventually started to recruit me it was a dream come true."
Kimble received an offer from the Baylor coaches about a week ago and had already started thinking about making a commitment.
"Coach (George) DeLeone, the offensive line coach, actually came to watch our basketball practice about two weeks ago," Kimble said. "I honestly didn't know who he was and that it might have been someone's grandfather or something. I had no idea it was the Baylor offensive line coach at the time.
"Coach (Joey) McGuire got in touch with me a few weeks later, he offered me a scholarship and we talked about building a pipeline from Southlake Carroll to Baylor. I feel like we had one of the best offensive lines in the state of Texas last season, so to get back together with some of my teammates was definitely a plus. I was already pretty set once I had the offer, in terms of what I wanted to do, but I wanted to take the junior day visit first."
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound tackle prospect arrived back on the Baylor campus this weekend and the atmosphere reminded him exactly why he wanted to make his commitment.
"It always felt like home," Kimble said. "I talked with my parents and they told me to go ahead, do what I wanted as long as it felt right. I initially planned to take my time and enjoy the recruiting process, but I went there and felt comfortable. I didn't see any reasons to 'not' commit and become the program's first 2018 commitment.
"The main thing is that I didn't want to waste anyone's time, especially since my mind was made up. I could see myself attending college there, even outside of football, even if my career somehow ended. I could still see myself walking around the campus and attending college."
When the opportunity presented itself, Kimble went to speak with head coach Matt Rhule and shared the good news.
"I was just talking with Coach McGuire at first, he was saying that they would take me on the spot with no questions asked," Kimble said. "From there, I told my parents it was time and then I went over to Coach Rhule. We started talking and I told him that I was ready to make my commitment if they would have me. Coach McGuire heard me before Coach Rhule could answer, and he tackled me to the ground in excitement.
"With the things Coach Rhule is bringing to Baylor, I definitely think they have the right people and the right mindset to eventually win a national championship. The coaches want to run a power rushing attack from a spread formation, with a tight end on the field at all times. They want to run the ball down people's throats, and I love that approach as an offensive lineman."
Now that Kimble is one step closer to his longtime dream of playing football for Baylor, does the program's first 2018 commitment turn into a recruiter moving forward?
"Absolutely, that is what I talked about with Coach McGuire after things settled down," Kimble said. "He wants to keep in touch with me about some of their top targets and some of the guys they really want. I'm going to get in touch with them and create a big text group for other 2018 recruits interested in Baylor. I'm excited to help however I can do get others to join our class, it's going to be called the Wacover18."
Rated a 5.7 three-star prospect, Kimble earned District 5-6A All-District First Team Offense honors this past season. He chose the Bears over offers from Texas Tech and Bowling Green.