Florida Gators defensive tackle Cam Jackson was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the 5th round with the 140th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jackson is the second Gator off the board and the first Gators’ defensive lineman drafted since the Chicago Bears drafted Gervon Dexter in the second round in 2023.
After transferring from Memphis in 2023, Jackson played in 23 games for the Gators including 22 starts across two seasons, combining for 69 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass deflections. In his final season with Florida, Jackson improved as a pass rusher while maintaining his stout run defense.
The 6’6, 328-pound defensive tackle received an invite to the Reece’s Senior Bowl, where he impressed scouts with his high motor, strength, and explosiveness given his massive frame.
“Just effort and pass rush, I feel like I showed that a lot today,” Jackson told Gator Country after a Senior Bowl practice.
Jackson would go on to land an invite to the NFL Combine, where he ran a 5.17 40-yard dash while participating in the vertical and broad jump. Jackson moves well for his massive frame and has multiple years of dominant run defense on film.
According to Spotrac, Jackson is slotted to receive a four-year, $4,676,490 contract with a $472,289 signing bonus.