NATCHEZ — Lee Jackson III’s quest to improve as a football player brought him to Myrtle Beach, S.C., last month for the National Underclassmen Combine All-Star game.

And Jackson didn’t disappoint, tallying an interception and recording several tackles, he said, while playing defensive back for the South team during the game Dec. 22.

Jackson, who will be a senior at Natchez High School this fall, said the All-Star experience was good for him as he tries to improve his game as a defensive back. Getting to travel to Myrtle Beach was a bonus.

“It was a good experience for me,” Jackson said. “It was fun getting to travel, because I haven’t really been out of the state other than Texas, Alabama and Louisiana. It was also a good experience to get out on the beach, which is something I hadn’t experienced before.”

Jackson said he made four or five tackles during the game, but his big moment was a 32-yard interception return.

“The quarterback fled the pocket, and he was looking for a wide receiver, and he threw it up, and it just hit my chest, and I ran,” Jackson said. “It felt good making a play in an all-star game, because that’s what the coaches want to see.”

And with college scouts in attendance, Jackson said he was glad he had a chance to face off against some of the best prep football players in the country.

“There was great competition,” Jackson said. “The best of the best was out there, so you had to come with your A game.”

Jackson said he’s visited LSU, Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State, and he’s scheduled to visit Tennessee over the summer. Though he favors Tennessee, Jackson said his recruitment isn’t over by any stretch.

“I’m still open to other schools,” Jackson said.

After experiencing some hard-nosed coaching from the all-star game, Jackson said he learned some important lessons.

“I know college coaches aren’t going to play with me,” Jackson said. “I have to handle my business, do the right things to stay in the program and be a great football player.”

Jackson is the son of Dorothy and Lee II.