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It was a strong year in 2024 for Ja’Kobi Jackson. The Pensacola native tallied nearly 600 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns while splitting carries with Montrell Johnson and Jadan Baugh. With Johnson now NFL-bound, all eyes were on Jackson and Baugh for this year’s spring game to get a sense of who the bell cow might be.
Jackson, a fifth-year senior, made the most of every one of his 10 carries. He totaled an Orange & Blue Game record of 198 yards and found pay dirt three times. The highlight of the game was his 90-yard jaunt in the third quarter that proved to be the decisive score. After running straight into a cluster of lineman just past the line of scrimmage, Jackson was able to spin off the pack and pull away from every defender on the field on his way to the end zone.
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“My O-line did a great job today,” Jackson said. “It wasn’t much I really had to do, just run full speed and run straight. Great day.”
Jackson’s performance fueled a 38-32 victory for Blue over Orange. On the other sideline, the stories of the day were quarterback Harrison Bailey and freshman wideout Dallas Wilson delivering record-breaking performances as well. Bailey threw for 363 yards, with 195 of those going to Wilson.
What does this mean?
It’s unlikely that either Jackson or Baugh will truly rise above the other to receive a lion’s share of the carries this year. Baugh had 142 less yards than Jackson on one more carry, but he also had a 48-yard reception and 47 kick return yards. If there’s anything Florida fans should take from Jackson’s performance, it’s excitement about what the Gators’ two-headed monster in the backfield will be able to do week in and week out.
“I definitely think we can be one of the best [1-2 punches] in the SEC, if not the best,” Jackson said. “Power and explosive plays, that’s what we’re gonna bring to the table this year.”
