Florida football RB Ja'Kobi Jackson receives waiver for 2026 season

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Florida football running back Ja'Kobi Jackson announced on social media that his waiver has been approved, making him eligible for the 2026-27 season.

A JUCO transfer, Jackson showed promise for the Florida Gators in 2024, rushing for 520 yards on 5.4 yards per carry with 7 TDs before his 2025 season was cut short by injury. The 5-foot-11, 214-pound Jackson appeared in just four games for UF as a redshirt senior in 2025, rushing for 98 yards on 27 carries.

Jackson's potential return provides insurance if starting running back Jadan Baugh opts to enter the transfer portal this month. The 6-1, 231-pound Baugh took on an increased workload due to Jackson's injury and responded by becoming UF's first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor in 2015. Baugh finished third in the SEC in rushing with 1,170 yards with 8 TDs rushing while adding 2 TDs receiving.

Baugh has yet to enter the transfer portal, which officially opened on Friday, Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16. He's reportedly being pursued by Texas, who according to sources close to negotiations have offered a $1.5 million contract. New Florida football coach Jon Sumrall met with Baugh and his family in Atlanta on Christmas Eve and has made the effort to retain Baugh for his junior season a priority.

Two more Florida running backs – KD Daniels and Treyaun Webb – have entered the transfer portal, though freshman Duke Clark is expected to return for his sophomore season. The 6-1, 211-pound Clark showed promise for UF as a true freshman last season, rushing for 20 yards on six carries.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football RB Ja'Kobi Jackson announces waiver for 2026 season

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