Former Florida Football DB finds new home in transfer portal with old position coach

The transfer portal is in full swing, and Florida Football has had 12 scholarship players hit the portal since it opened on Monday.

One of the earliest entrants from Florida has already found a new home, and it will reunite him with the coach who helped bring him to Gainesville in the first place.

Florida Football: Hello again

Ja'Keem Jackson originally came to Florida as the headliner of the class of 2023. The defensive back from Kissimmee was recruited by then-assistant coach Corey Raymond, and Jackson played 113 snaps as a true freshman.

Raymond was let go by Billy Napier at the end of last season, but Jackson stuck around and was expected to be a key contributor in 2024. He started against Miami and took 48 snaps, but struggled as he was targeted six times and gave up four receptions.

He started again against Samford and notably gave up a catch for 35 yards before getting hurt. Jackson's injury wound up keeping him out for the rest of the 2024 season.

Jackson opted to hit the portal as soon as it opened, and it was apparent that he would wind up at LSU, reuniting him with Raymond, who also went back to LSU after being fired last year.

Florida beat LSU this year and will face the Tigers on the road to open SEC play in 2025. Jackson redshirted in 2024 and will still have three years of eligibility remaining as he makes his way to Baton Rouge from Gainesville.