New York Jets sign Florida football EDGE Ja'Markis Weston as UDFA after 2025 NFL draft
New York Jets sign Florida football EDGE Ja'Markis Weston as UDFA after 2025 NFL draft
The New York Jets waited until after the 2025 NFL draft to sign former Florida edge defender Ja'Markis Weston as an undrafted free agent on Saturday night, but at least the versatile Gators alumnus has finally found a new home among the professional ranks. He reportedly signed a deal that includes a $200,000 guaranteed salary.
Weston began his career in Gainesville as a three-star wide receiver out of Clewiston (Florida) in the 2019 recruiting cycle. He appeared in three games during his true freshman year before taking a redshirt and played in eight the following season, earning his first career tackle against Arkansas on Nov. 14.
In 2021, he appeared in nine games for the Orange and Blue, scoring his first touchdown against Samford on Nov. 13. Weston saw action in 12 games but primarily in a special-teams role, totalling 32 kickoff return yards.
Then, two seasons ago, the 6-foot-2.5-inch, 235-pound athlete only appeared in five games, totalling four solo tackles amid a major change in his role.
"I told him last year, he was a gunner for us. I said I've been around some guys that played gunner and made a whole lot of money," UF outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson said during spring camp in 2023. "He's one of those guys we call it a team player. Probably early on, he wanted his role to be bigger, but he's accepted his role. Those are the guys that usually play a long, long time."
Weston played in all 13 games in 2024 — primarily on special teams — while appearing on defense in three, totaling nine tackles (seven solo), one sack and one forced fumble for a 67.9 special teams grade according to PFF. The young man from Clewiston's collegiate odyssey had finally become complete.
"It's been an amazing journey. I mean, I have no complaints. Going in day in, day out, working with my brothers, just being able to be here with them and being able to show them the ropes. Not self-serving, you know, being able to just bring everybody together as one," Weston said.
"It wasn't discouraging. I mean, there's a lot to learn with football. It's very schematic and I would say you just gotta put your head down and be able to grow and be able to be versatile. And I mean, it's gonna add up later on."
Along with his athletic accolades, Weston was also named to the 2023 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll while earning his bachelor's degree in Education Sciences during that same fall term.
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