QB Joshua Jackson Builds on Decades-Long Relationship with Scot Loeffler, Sets Hokies Visit

In some ways, Scot Loeffler has been evaluating 2016 quarterback Joshua Jackson of Michigan's Saline HS since he was a toddler.

Jackson says the pair first met when he was just a baby up in Ann Arbor, but have no fear; this is no story of college scouting gone to an insane extreme.

"My dad was running backs coach at Michigan for 23 years, including when Coach Loeffler was there, so he's known me since I was a baby," Jackson said.

Fred Jackson has indeed been a fixture at the school, serving as RBs coach since 1992 before stepping aside once Jim Harbaugh took over the program, so it makes perfect sense that Loeffler would get an introduction to the younger Jackson.

Since then, the pair has stayed in touch over the years, especially as it became clear that Jackson was gravitating toward the very position that brought Loeffler so much success at Michigan.

"When I was in elementary school and middle school, he'd come watch me throw and give me some tips," Jackson said. "We've had a good relationship for a while."

But that relationship quickly changed from personal to professional as it became clear that Jackson was developing into a legitimate prospect. The rising senior, who's rated a 3-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite ranking, earned an in-person visit from Loeffler on May 6.

"He came and watched me a throw a bit," Jackson said. "Then he called Coach Beamer about me, and after that, that was when he offered."

Blessed to have received my 16th offer from Virginia Tech!! pic.twitter.com/46R5rDgTZC— Josh Jackson (@joshiejack17) May 6, 2015

For Jackson, the scene surely seemed a bit surreal given his connection to the coach, but it was a welcome feeling just the same.

"I've known Coach Loeffler all my life, so I was just so excited," Jackson said.

Now Jackson has agreed to return the favor and make the long trip down to Blacksburg this coming weekend for his first visit to campus.

While he says he initially weighed a visit to Southwest Virginia on the weekend of June 20, as the coaches said "a bunch of NFL guys will be there" including Logan Thomas, he ultimately decided to move up his trip to match his ideal commitment timeline.

"June is about the time I want to be committing, I maybe even end up committing there," Jackson said.

But that's certainly still contingent on the quality of the visit. Jackson says he wants to "meet the coaches and meet some of the players" and get a better feel for the program.

"I know how great a coach (Coach Loeffler) is...and I know Coach Beamer's been there for a lot of years," Jackson said. "I know they had a slight down year last year, but that happens."

Yet Jackson hardly lacks for interest from other schools across the country as well. He says that he regularly hears from schools that have offered him like Northwestern, West Virginia, Minnesota and Oregon State, as well as ones that haven't, most notably Penn State.

Jackson says the Nittany Lions' decision on extending an offer could easily change the complexion of his recruitment. If they do offer, he'd "probably announce a top five," and likely add State College, Pa to his schedule of visits.

As it stands now, Jackson says the Hokies, Wildcats, Mountaineers and Gophers have all earned visits from him, yet he's not looking to draw out his recruitment unnecessarily.

"Hopefully I can just commit and get it over with," Jackson said.

Jackson admits that part of the reason that all this attention feels a bit overwhelming is because it's seemingly all come at once. While Jackson possesses plenty of athleticism to go with his 6'2", 200-pound frame, he says he wasn't able to showcase it his sophomore year.

"I transferred schools, so I didn't play sophomore year," Jackson said. "Now I think they're seeing that I have a lot of upside."

Jackson is particularly proud of his accuracy, which he says is an emphasis for him when he steps on the field.

"I'm athletic, but I can throw well," Jackson said. "I'm accurate, I only had three interceptions in 14 games last season."

Now he's looking to refine his game for the next level, wherever he ends up heading.

"I'm just trying to get college-ready, working on my footwork and throwing mechanics," Jackson said.

Loeffler certainly has the experience needed to mold a young, raw passer like Jackson, and his reputation as a QB guru, along with the pair's decades-long friendship, should keep the Hokies competitive for his services for the long haul.

"I just want to find a good staff that's going to push me," Jackson said.