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Florida defensive lineman Cam Jackson announces plan to return in 2024

Screen Shot 2024-05-28 at 9.09.17 AMby:Kaiden Smith•11/29/23•

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Florida DL Cam Jackson. (Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports)

Despite being eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft, Florida defensive lineman Cam Jackson isn’t going anywhere next season, announcing Wednesday that he plans on returning with the Gators for the 2024 season.

The Gators nose tackle has been a valuable piece in anchoring Florida’s defense, and he’ll be returning to The Swamp next season using his fifth and final year of eligibility.

Check out Jackson’s official announcement posted to his Twitter account on Wednesday below.

Jackson joined Florida this offseason through the transfer portal, spending the first three seasons of his collegiate career with Memphis. He made 11 starts this season for the Gators with 32 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 2 pass break-ups as an important interior presence on the team’s defensive line.

His job on the defensive line is a little bit thankless, and Florida’s defense had its fair share of struggles during the 2023 season, but he was a consistent bright spot that the Gators can rely on shining yet again next year.

Jackson earned SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honors in Week 3 when he had six tackles and one pass breakup against Tennessee, and was also invited to Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl following the regular season.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.