Rebels land Blinn College linebacker

Linebacker Princeton Jackson, a Rivals.com three-star recruit, committed today to play football for UNLV.

Jackson (6 feet 2 inches, 230 pounds), who played at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, was a National Junior College Athletic Association first-team All-American.

He visited this weekend.

"I loved everything about it — the education, the program, the people," Jackson said. "It's home to me.

"The teammates and coaches were the big thing, and seeing how passionate the fans were at the basketball game (Saturday against New Mexico) and the tradition they have at UNLV."

Jackson, a former Iowa State signee, was a teammate of quarterback Cam Newton in 2009 at Blinn, and said the future Heisman Trophy winner made a big impact on him.

"He went at it in every single practice," Jackson said.

The Rebels also hope to land Blinn offensive lineman Josh McNeill (6-6, 285), who previously visited.

"I'm working on trying to get him to UNLV," Jackson said. "I've really bought into the opportunity."

Jackson said he also hopes to play baseball for the Rebels. He said the Washington Nationals offered him a $40,000 signing bonus out of high school, but he turned it down.

His focus for now is on football.

"We have a young roster," Jackson said. "I feel like I can help the young guys."