Florida football DL Cam Jackson drafted by Carolina Panthers in fifth round of NFL draft
Florida football DL Cam Jackson drafted by Carolina Panthers in fifth round of NFL draft
The Florida Gators are celebrating another big moment in their NFL pipeline. Defensive lineman Cam Jackson was officially selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round (Pick No. 140) of the 2025 NFL draft, marking the next step in a career built on strength, perseverance and consistent production.
Jackson, a 6-foot-6-inch, 342-pound powerhouse, anchored the Gators' defensive line over the past two seasons after transferring from Memphis. In 2024, he posted 37 tackles (14 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two pass breakups across 12 games, starting 11 of them.
His presence in the trenches was pivotal, routinely plugging gaps and forcing offenses to adjust.
Jackson saved some of his best performances for the biggest stages. Against Ole Miss, he logged a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss, including key third and fourth down stops.
In the rivalry showdown at Florida State, Jackson tied a personal best with five solo tackles and recorded his first two career sacks.
Jackson also showed flashes of dominance during the 2023 season, where he totaled 32 tackles and earned SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honors after helping shut down the Tennessee Volunteers. His back-to-back solid seasons in Gainesville earned him invitations to both the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, boosting his draft stock.
Before Florida, Jackson made his name at Memphis. Across three seasons with the Tigers, he racked up valuable experience and displayed steady development.
A native of Haynesville, Louisiana, and a former three-star recruit, Jackson's journey is a testament to steady hard work and resilience. Now, he'll look to make an immediate impact for the Panthers at the next level.
Gator Nation will be watching closely as Jackson takes his talents to the pros. His size, versatility and ability to control the line of scrimmage make him a valuable addition to any defensive front.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
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