NATCHEZ — Natchez High School’s Lee Jackson III has kept busy while preparing to play football at Coahoma Community College.

Attending football camps at SEC schools like Louisiana State University and Mississippi State, along with playing in all-star games, such as the Texas vs. the World All-Star Game, Jackson has received high praise, great instruction and quality experience.

Above all else, Jackson made his presence felt on the field, recording an interception and six tackles on the World team in a 28-7 win in against Texas in February.

“The environment was great,” Jackson said. “The coaches laid out the plan, and it was plain and to the point. It went smooth.”

Smooth is the way Natchez head coach Lance Reed described his former defensive back’s playing style.

“He really is a gifted young man,” Reed said. “His natural ability and his potential are unlimited.”

The end goal for Jackson is to one day suit up for a Division I school, and though he would like that sooner rather than later, he doesn’t mind making a name for himself at the junior college level to get there.

“I’m going to take this JUCO route and try my best to get recruited,” Jackson said.

Reed had no doubts that his former player would attain his goal.

“He’s ready and willing to put in the work, I’m sure,” Reed said. “At the junior college level, I think he will go in, compete and have a chance to start.”

Jackson considers himself a versatile defensive back, with the capability to play safety or cornerback. He played cornerback at Natchez, but he moved to safety for the all-star game, where he was able to showcase his ball-hawking skills.

“I’m starting to like safety better than corner,” Jackson said. “I’d like to be a corner though.”

Jackson laughed when asked if he liked to initiate contact in the secondary, but without hesitation, he implied that aspect of playing the position was one of his favorites.

“I’ll get after the ball if I get a chance too, but I’ll come up and lay that wood too,” Jackson said.

The 6’0, 185-pound defensive back is looking to add size and speed before reporting to coaches in May.

“I’m trying to get up to 200 pounds,” Jackson said. “My fastest time was a 4.51 too, so I’m just trying to get bigger and faster.”