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Say this much for Will Jackson: He's not going to be strung along.

"I'm not going to get in the waiting game with any school," the offensive lineman from Farragut High School said. "I'm going to make my decision and I won't look back from there."

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Jackson, who is the News Sentinel's 10th-best prospect in the state, said an announcement concerning his college destination will come soon, possibly within the month and certainly before his senior season begins in August.

It would be easy for Jackson to get involved in a waiting game with the 800-pound Big Orange gorilla in the room. Countless prospects have remained undecided while Tennessee continues its evaluations into the winter months.

Jackson received significant interest from UT, leading most to believe that a strong showing in last month's football camp would spur the Vols into offering Jackson a scholarship.

Jackson lived up to his end of the deal. UT still has not extended an official offer.

"They're doing their own thing, getting the guys they want for whatever reasons they want them," Jackson said. "I guess they're looking at different things than some of the schools that have offered me."

Just because UT seems uninterested doesn't mean Jackson is devoid of options. With more than 13 scholarship offers, Jackson has whittled down his list to Kentucky, Stanford, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Wake Forest.

That list will be pared down to three or four later this month. Much of that process will depend on Auburn, a school that hasn't offered Jackson but has shown strong interest lately. Jackson will visit The Plains on July 12 for Auburn's camp.

Jackson already has visited Auburn for the Tigers' spring game. This time, he hopes to get more up-close and personal with Auburn's coaches.

"That's the main thing," Jackson said. "I just have to get familiar with the staff down there."

That staff may be more enticed than others. Jackson is more finesse than power, which could be a perfect fit for Auburn's new spread offense.

"That's my feelings," Jackson said. "I ran the spread in high school. I'm not a big 320-pound kid, but the spread requires a lot more athleticism and smarts to pass block.

"I think that would be perfect for me."

Auburn was the first school to talk to Jackson. Then, the Tigers backed off. They came on strong once again early this summer, inviting him to this month's camp.

Perhaps Auburn just needs to take a look at Jackson before offering him a scholarship? Perhaps the Tigers' coaches just want to see him up close? Jackson is tired of trying to predict what coaches may do during camps.

"It's hard to see how these camps work," he said. "A school will show you love, you'll do pretty well and they won't offer you."

Stanford may prove to be the X-factor in Jackson's recruitment. Sure, Jackson would love to play SEC football but an education from Stanford certainly has its benefits.

"That's something I've been struggling with," Jackson said. "That's going to be a really tough decision."

"Distance wouldn't be a factor for a school like Stanford because of the education you can get there."

Stanford or the SEC? Jackson is in no hurry to make that decision, one that would have only been made more difficult had UT not stepped aside.

"It's still a good school but I've been able to form better relationships with some people (at other schools)," Jackson said. "I still do like UT but I haven't talked to them as much lately.

"I've got other options so it's not a huge issue."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.