Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Utah football offers Syracuse DB commit

Originally posted on Utah Utes on SI | By Cole Forsman | Last updated May 2, 2025 8:22 PM ET

The Utah football program moved into position to potentially flip a Syracuse commit on Friday.

Jackson Gates, a 6-foot-1 cornerback recruit from Damien High School (California), received a scholarship offer from the Utes, according to his X/Twitter account.

Gates verbally committed to Syracuse in November, but that hasn't stopped the three-star cornerback recruit from feeling out his other offers. He hosted UNLV's defensive backs coach on a home visit recently, and lined up visits with the Orange (June 6) and Michigan State (June 13).

After a great conversation with @UteReef33 I am Blessed to receive an offer from University of Utah!@GregBiggins @BlairAngulo @BrandonHuffman @adamgorney @JStew8 @DamienFootball_ @Screl39 @premiumsportsla pic.twitter.com/r72NeHMtbB
— Jaxson Gates (@Jaxson_Gates0) May 2, 2025

Earlier this spring at the Baseline League Championships, Gates posted a time of 10.48 seconds in the 100-meter dash. That electric speed at 6-foot-1 serves him well on the gridiron, too. Gates is ranked by 247Sports Composite as the No. 81 cornerback recruit in the class of 2026. He's also slated as a top-80 player from California.

Gates holds offers from Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Oregon State, among others.

So far, Utah's 2026 recruiting class features three-star edge rusher Preston Pitts and three-star tight end Colby Simpson.