Yankees Draft Controversial Prospect After Swastika Incident Revealed

The New York Yankees picked University of Utah shortstop Core Jackson in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft, and honestly, it’s turned a lot of heads. Jackson’s past is hard to ignore—he drew a swastika on a Jewish student’s dorm door in 2021 and got a DUI in 2024, both of which have clouded his future in baseball.

Still, the Yankees stuck with their choice. They pointed out Jackson’s remorse and his efforts to make things right.

Core Jackson’s Controversial Past

Back in 2021, Jackson was a freshman at the University of Nebraska. He drew a swastika on a Jewish student’s dorm room door.

Jackson was 17 then and says he was blackout drunk, with no memory of what happened. “I know I made a really stupid mistake,” he admitted, sounding genuinely regretful and a little older for it.

University of Nebraska’s Response

The University of Nebraska wouldn’t share details about the incident. University police didn’t respond to requests for comment either.

Jackson ended up with a fine, did some online sensitivity training, and put in community service hours. The baseball team kept him on the roster that spring.

Jackson’s DUI Charge

In September 2024, Jackson hit another rough patch—he got charged with DUI on Utah’s campus. His agent, Blake Corosky, said the charge was later reduced to impaired driving, which is a misdemeanor.

Jackson did more community service, went through substance abuse training, and paid fines. “I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol in the months since,” he said, sounding determined to turn things around.

Impact on Draft Status

Jackson’s history probably hurt his draft stock. Yankees amateur scouting director Damon Oppenheimer said Jackson’s athleticism and performance could have landed him higher in the draft.

Instead, the Yankees took him at No. 164 overall in July 2025. He signed for $147,500, which is a lot less than the slot value for that pick.

Yankees’ Due Diligence

The Yankees didn’t just wing it—they dug deep before drafting Jackson. They talked with Jackson, his circle, and even consulted high-ranking Jewish members of the organization like team president Randy Levine, who gave his support.

Oddly, the Yankees didn’t reach out to anyone at the University of Nebraska about the original incident.

Conversations and Education

Jackson’s agent, Corosky, played a big role in helping Jackson grasp the seriousness of what he’d done. Corosky also represents Jacob Steinmetz, an Orthodox Jewish player, and turned to Steinmetz’s father, Elliot, for advice.

Elliot Steinmetz recommended Jackson take a course on antisemitism. That led to a five-week program put together by Ann Squicciarini, a grad student at Yeshiva University.

Jackson’s Redemption Journey

Jackson agreed to personally call reps from all 30 MLB teams and lay out his past actions. He worked closely with Steinmetz and Squicciarini to understand the deep impact of what he’d done.

“It wasn’t easy, but it was part of growing up and understanding to take ownership of my actions,” Jackson said. You can hear the discomfort in his voice, but maybe that’s the point.

Support from the Yankees

The Yankees didn’t take the decision lightly. Oppenheimer, who’s known Utah head coach Gary Henderson for decades, got strong feedback about Jackson’s character and performance.

He also checked in with other members of the Yankees organization, including Jewish staff, to get a full picture of Jackson’s situation.

Moving Forward

After the draft, Jackson thanked Steinmetz and promised to prove himself on and off the field. Oppenheimer said the Yankees’ player development staff knows about Jackson’s history, and he hasn’t had any issues since joining the team.