- Hawthorne High School's Kahleil Jackson returned to play after two years, making two receptions during Florida's 52-3 win over Campbell on Saturday.
- Justin Williams, a four-star freshman from Buchholz High School in Gainesville, contributed as a punt returner and made two catches late in the game.
- Jaden Robinson, a senior linebacker and local four-star recruit from Columbia (Lake City), recorded tackles and played extended snaps throughout the game.
For several Florida Gators, Saturday’s 52-3 win over Campbell was more than an opportunity to contribute to a blowout. It was a chance to play in front of the people who watched them grow up.
With Florida building a commanding lead against the FCS Campbell Camels, several Gainesville-area players saw the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, giving the local products a chance to make an impact in front of a home crowd.
It was a moment two years in the making for seventh-year wide receiver Kahleil Jackson.
The Hawthorne native and former Hawthorne High School standout made his first reception since 2024, catching two passes during Florida’s 35-point second-quarter outburst.
As a mentor in a loaded wide receiver room, Jackson entered with 6:50 remaining in the second quarter and immediately became involved in the offense. He caught a nine-yard curl route from Aaron Philo for a first down, then came back a few plays later with a 10-yard out route from the slot that moved the Gators to the Campbell 14-yard line.
One play later, Vernell Brown III found the end zone to give Florida a 38-3 lead. Jackson contributed to an eight-play, 85-yard touchdown drive.
The significance of the moment extended far beyond two catches.
Jackson’s 2024 season ended after an MRI revealed he had torn both his ACL and MCL. He missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing a procedure to repair cartilage damage and remove scar tissue from his knee.
After spending more than a year away from game action, Jackson was back making plays in The Swamp.
He also started the second half and continued to see time at receiver throughout the game.
His return did not go unnoticed by his teammates.
Florida receiver Dallas Wilson, who finished the game with over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown, spoke about Jackson after the game.
“I’m always happy to see K Jack out there, man,” Wilson said. “When he’s out there running routes or even blocking, man, it’s just awesome because when I came in, K Jack was always helping me, so seeing him go out there and make plays was just exciting.”
Wilson said Jackson has become a source of advice during his own development at Florida.
“Kahleil, he’s been through everything,” Wilson said. “He’s been here for a while and this is his third head coach, so I’ve been talking to him all the time to see what he’s got to tell me, and he just says to keep going. He’s a real legend.”
Wilson said the two still spend time watching film together, with Jackson pointing out things Wilson may have missed.
“We call him unc,” Wilson said.
Jackson wasn’t the only Gainesville-area product to get an opportunity Saturday.
Justin Williams, a four-star freshman from Gainesville and former Buchholz 1,000-yard receiver, saw action late in the game.
Williams first entered as the Gators’ punt returner with 9:52 remaining in the fourth quarter. With the ball bouncing near the Florida 3-yard line, Williams allowed it to roll into the end zone rather than attempting to field it.
He later lined up at slot receiver with 2:35 remaining.
Williams caught a pass from Tramell Jones III on a drag route for a seven-yard first down, then made another reception on a comeback route for 13 yards on the second-to-last play of the game.
He was on the field as Florida finished the 52-3 victory.
Jaden Robinson, another local product, also saw extended action from start to finish.
The senior linebacker and four-star recruit from Columbia High School’s 2023 class was the first of the local backups to enter on Saturday. Robinson recorded a tackle to end the first quarter.
He returned in the third quarter for Campbell’s final drive of the period and assisted on a tackle that helped force a third-and-11 situation before the Camels punted.
For the local players, the blowout provided something that can be difficult to find during a competitive college football season: meaningful snaps in front of a hometown crowd.
And for Jackson, it provided a significant return to the field after nearly two years away from game action, with teammates and close ones watching.
