Sophomore Ty Jackson continues to impress with his all-out style of play, leading to more playing time recently for the sophomore from Fort Lauderdale. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
Jackson's Perseverance Is Paying Off
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | Football
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By: Ryan Roddy, FloridaGators.com Student Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Ty Jackson had not seen his number called often on defense in his first season and a half of college football.
A Fort Lauderdale native, Jackson made a name for himself on special teams, playing eight games as a true freshman.
Florida head coach Jon Sumrall didn't have many positive takeaways from his team's homecoming loss to South Carolina, but he did point to one play.
A play that Jackson made.
Late in the fourth quarter of Florida's 38-19 loss, Jackson blocked a punt.
In a game where Sumrall described an unacceptable lack of energy from the locker room at halftime, that play revealed something.
"I said, 'Here's Ty Jackson, who probably doesn't like the amount of snaps he's getting on defense, and he's playing his tail off, and he goes and makes a play,' " Sumrall said. "He's still playing hard. He's still fighting."
Linebacker Ty Jackson made his first career start in last week's game against Oklahoma. (Photo: Cassie Baker/UAA Communications)
A closer look at the replay shows Jackson didn't block the punt entirely on his own. He knocked an upback into the punter, causing the block.
Jackson said he was going for the ball, but the upback was in the way, and he was just trying to get through.
"Mainly it was, I was not getting many reps, so I had to give it all I got when I got on the field, so," Jackson said.
After the South Carolina game, Jackson began to get more playing time and quickly made an impact.
In Florida's win over Texas, he recorded two tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble, which led to a seven-tackle (five solo) performance against Georgia.
Then in Week 9 against Oklahoma, with starter Jaden Robinson out, Jackson made his first collegiate start.
On the field, he has stuck to a clear blueprint — an all-out approach that inspired the only play shown to the team after a disheartening homecoming loss.
"Just run and hit," Jackson said. "My coach says talk, run and hit; that's the main three things."
After making his first start, the two linebackers beside him have drawn similar conclusions, both positive reviews.
Chiles, who has played consistently since stepping on campus in 2024, said Jackson's growth as a player continues to show up on the field. Not just physically, but also in his football IQ and knowledge of the defensive scheme, which has allowed him to display his physical abilities.
"He's a freak athlete himself," Chiles said. "He's very talented. Getting a guy like that to play fast just adds another piece to this defense so we can be dominant."
Graham, Florida's leading tackler for two years running, said Jackson didn't come out of nowhere, aligning with Chiles. Specifically, Graham pointed to Jackson's speed and his standing as one of the team's fastest players.
"Yeah, I've seen him grow since day one," Graham said. "I mean, the talent has always been there. It was more of him knowing where to be, where to fit, and I've seen him skyrocket just from the first day he got here. He's gonna be a special, special player."
The Gators have a proud history of producing linebackers, as evidenced by a deep, talented room in 2026. While Jackson has been filling in for Robinson, he proved his will.
Fans may continue to see No. 7 on defense, even when Robinson returns.
"I think when Jaden Robinson's back, like, to feel like we've got four linebackers that can play winning SEC football," defensive coordinator Brad White said. "Certain things sort of happen for a reason, and that's why we just say, 'Hey, just keep putting your time in in practice. You never know when your number is going to get called.' That's at any position, offense, defense, special teams, whatever the case is.
"He just kept grinding away, and you see his snaps continue to increase."
Since the South Carolina game, the Florida defense has allowed 315.7 yards and 24.7 points per game, a complete 180 from its first six contests.
The Gators may have been described as "spiraling" amid a 1-4 record in their last five games, but the defense has slowly started to figure things out, starting with players like Jackson, who are "hungry" and fight for opportunities on every down.
After battling and showing out, he has earned his spot.
Don't just look out for Jackson; keep your ears open. With his philosophy, when he makes a big play, you'll hear it.
