Top inside LB prospect Ty Jackson flips from USC to Florida

Florida completed the flip of four-star USC linebacker pledge Ty Jackson on Monday morning, securing a commitment from the nation’s top inside linebacker prospect as the Gators continue a hot run on the recruiting trail in the final days before the early signing period.

Jackson, No. 54 in the 2025 ESPN 300, had been committed to USC since Sept. 8 and remained the third-ranked prospect in Lincoln Riley’s 2025 class. The defender from Loxahatchee, Florida, is now the eighth ESPN 300 prospect to decommit from the Trojans in the 2025 cycle, joining a list that includes five-star quarterback Julian Lewis and top-100 defenders Justus Terry, Isaiah Gibson, Anquon Fegans and Hylton Stubbs.

Jackson’s flip to Florida comes two days after he visited the Gators during the program’s 24-17 win over then-No. 9  Ole Miss, which vaulted Florida to bowl eligibility for the second time under third-year coach Billy Napier.

Jackson stands as the second-ranked member of the Gators’ 2025 class behind only four-star wide receiver Vernell Brown (No. 44 in the ESPN 300) and joins four-star defensive end Jalen Wiggins (No. 68 in the ESPN 300) as the second top-100 prospect set to sign with Florida when the early signing period opens Dec. 4.

Florida’s 2025 class was No. 27 in ESPN’s latest 2025 class rankings prior to Jackson’s commitment, and his pledge continues the strong run the Gators have enjoyed on the recruiting trail since the school announced its plans to stick with Napier beyond the 2024 season earlier this month.

Florida secured a commitment from quarterback Tramell Jones (who was previously committed to  Florida State) on Nov. 17, then followed with pledges from four-star defensive tackle Stephon Shivers (former  Georgia pledge) and three-star offensive lineman Daniel Pierre Louis (former Florida State pledge) last week.

The Gators are expected to remain active in the final stretch of the 2025 cycle as they target multiple ESPN 300 prospects, including five-star  Ohio State cornerback commit Na’eem Offord (No. 4 in the ESPN 300) and four-star  Texas wide receiver pledge Jaime Ffrench (No. 25)

Following back-to-back ranked wins over  LSU and Ole Miss, Florida closes its regular season at Florida State on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2).