GARDENA, Calif.—Jason Gibson didn’t play football until his freshman year of high school, favoring basketball instead. Now the linebacker is one of the top recruits in the nation.
Gibson, who is 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, comes from a class rich in talent at Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, Calif., with receiver George Farmer, outside linebacker Woodson Greer and all-around athlete Marquis Lee. The Cavaliers won the CIF state championship last season—led by graduating senior receiver Robert Woods, who is headed for USC.
Gibson’s stock has been steadily rising in the past two seasons. As a sophomore, he had 67 tackles and 10 sacks. Then last season he put up 94 tackles, 15.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for the undefeated Cavaliers.
Gibson is “extremely gifted” coach Scott Altenberg tells The Associated Press.
“He’s got a tremendous motor,” the coach said. “He’s just so hard to stop.”
Even bigger numbers are expected from Gibson this season, with perennially talented Serra ranked among the top five teams in the state.
He played last season at defensive end, but Gibson says he’s more suited to play at linebacker, and will switch his senior season at Serra in hopes of playing there in college. He will need to bulk up to play defensive end in college.
Considered excellent on the pass-rush, Gibson is considering offers from every school in the Pacific-10 conference, as well as Florida, Tennessee and Miami. He has said he won’t rush his decision.
While Woods may have some pull to USC, the Trojans have been hit by NCAA sanctions that include a two-year postseason ban and fewer scholarships, which could impact Gibson’s decision. Southern California was also reportedly late-coming with its offer.
Recently Gibson said he’s leaning toward staying in state. He also says he’s likely to make a decision late in the season.
