Two Gators Defenders Earn SEC Player of the Week Honors
Safety Jordan Castell and defensive lineman Cam Jackson have earned SEC Player of the Week nods for their performance in the Gators' upset victory over Tennessee on Saturday night, the league office announced on Monday.
Castell is the conference's Freshman of the Week, while Jackson was deemed SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. It is the first time this season Florida has had a representative on the list of standout performers.
Castell, a true freshman, shined as a rising star in the Gators safety room in his second career start.
Compiling 10 tackles — doubling his season-long total to 20 — and a significant pass breakup on a deep ball down the middle of the field in the third quarter, the Orlando native illustrated his maturity and importance to the Florida secondary throughout the evening to limit an explosive offense from Joe Milton and Co. to just 16 points.
Head coach Billy Napier applauded the outing and his continued excellence from the backend during his media availability on Monday.
"Look, the guy's playing partly because he's mature enough to handle it," Napier said. "He can process, he can communicate, and he has got physical ability. I think he is a future leader, and certainly amongst his classmates he's well thought of."
Jackson, on the other hand, played a vital role in the Gators' strong defensive outing against an up-tempo, high-octane Tennessee attack.
Stifling a Volunteers rushing attack that proved dynamic in its first two contests against Virginia and Austin Peay to just 100 yards in 30 attempts, Jackson came away with six tackles to tack on to the three he held through two games.
His role as an anchor on the interior defensive line from his nose tackle spot has aided Florida beyond the single-game performance.
His presence in the middle of the trenches has positively impacted Florida's production in halting opposing attacks through three weeks this season. Austin Armstrong's squad ranks No. 10 in total defense following the 29-16 victory over the Vols, with Jackson — along with newfound depth on the inside — playing a vital factor in the unit's resurgence.
The duo of defenders is the first Florida tandem to earn the recognition in the same week since running back Trevor Etienne and offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence.
They did so on Nov. 14, 2022, under similar circumstances when Florida produced an inspiring home victory over South Carolina last year.
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