Spain Park defensive tackle Jeremiah Jackson made a verbal commitment Friday to play football at the University of Arkansas after making a campus visit Thursday.

“It felt like home when we first got there,” Jackson said. “We knew we liked Arkansas and wanted to go for a visit. We’d prayed a lot and asked God, ‘What do you feel like we should do?’ And we felt like God was telling us that Arkansas was the place for me to go.”

Jackson, who will be 17 in July, stands at 6-foot-2, 265 pounds and is Arkansas’ fifth commitment for 2010. He recorded 64 tackles and five sacks as a junior. Arkansas coaches have told him he will be worked some at defensive end, put primarily at tackle.

Jackson chose Arkansas over other Southeastern Conference offers from Auburn, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. Duke, Southern Mississippi and UAB also offered him.

“I’m really appreciative to all of the schools that offered me. It means a lot for them to take an interest in me,” Jackson said.

He is the second big prospect player from Shelby County to make a commitment, following Pelham linebacker Jake Holland, who committed to Auburn in April.

This is the third-consecutive season a Spain Park defensive tackle has committed to an SEC school. William Green committed to the University of Florida in January 2008 after his senior season. Darrius McMullin committed last summer to Vanderbilt, but signed with the University of South Alabama in February.

“It’s a tribute to our coaching staff and the program at Spain Park,” Jackson said. “They do a great job teaching us techniques and getting us ready.”