J.C. Jackson not enrolled in Summer classes

Florida Gators redshirt freshman cornerback J.C. Jackson is not enrolled in classes at the University of Florida for Summer A as he continues to go through the legal process stemming from charges of first-degree felony robbery with a firearm.

A family member confirmed to Gator Country that Jackson had a meeting with the school and that the university had cleared him to enroll in classes, but that Jackson’s scholarship was not going to be renewed by Florida until the legal process played out.

“He’s got a lot of things he’s dealing with right now,” Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain said on Wednesday. “Right now, obviously, he’s dealing with those and trying to take care of certain things that he needs to. We’ll support him and help him do what he can, but right now he’s not enrolled in school and dealing with some things outside that are a lot bigger than the Florida Gators.”

This was not Jackson’s first misstep at Florida. Jackson was a passenger in a car with fellow cornerback Jalen Tabor, driven by quarterback Treon Harris. The car was pulled over for speeding on campus and marijuana was found inside the vehicle. None of the players were charged with possession. Jackson was also the victim of a drive by shooting near his home in Immokalee, where he was grazed by a bullet.

Jackson is currently being represented by attorney Chris Brown — a Tampa based lawyer. Brown had been working with the state attorney’s office to bring evidence that he believed would aid Jackson’s case but public Alachua County court records don’t show any progress since a plea of not guilty. Brown did not return calls to Gator Country this week as Jackson’s future begins to look bleak in Orange and Blue.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC

1 COMMENT

  1. I have said from the date of Jackson’s arrest that he was done at Florida. Ironically, he is done not because the evidence against him is strong. The evidence against him is, at best, inconclusive. He is done: (1) because of the reputation he has achieved while in Gainesville. Jackson is the classic 2:00 AM phone call from the local Sheriff’s Department. Jackson is known as ‘walking probable cause’. If there is trouble Jackson is in the area. (2) The evidence has Jackson at the scene but not involved in the crime. The SAO, the police and the University of Florida all (probably) believe Jackson was involved but they need either (a) an admission by Jackson to someone else or (b) the arrest of a co-defendant, who in order to save some prison time will agree to testify against Jackson. There is also a little problem with the Statute of Limitations. Jackson’s potential criminal liability runs with the Statute of Limitation. I imagine the University ‘brass’ do not want to pick-up the G’ville Sun and read that Jackson will not be able to play ‘this week’ because he has been re-arrested for armed home invasion robbery. Finally, does anyone really think Jackson can go 12 consecutive months without unpleasant contact with the local constabulary. Not likely.