JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This Saturday is the annual Florida-Georgia game. It’s a tradition unlike any other rivalry when the two college programs meet in Jacksonville and play their rivalry game at an NFL stadium.
For a few Jaguars players, they would visit Jacksonville once a year for one of the biggest rivalries in college football. Defensive end Travon Walker and cornerback Tyson Campbell are former Bulldogs while linebacker Ventrell Miller is a former Gator.
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“Very exciting game,” Walker said. “Fans are always electrifying and I guess just for the simple fact of it being one of the oldest rivalries in college football, that keeps the excitement going.”
Added Miller: “It’s a big game. Lot to be expected in this game. Every week we’re going out thinking we were going to win the game. It’s going to be a good matchup.”
It’s more than just the game. Thousands of fans descend on downtown Jacksonville tailgating for ‘The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.’ Driving over the Hart Bridge, you’ll see a sea of red, black, orange, and blue. It’s one of the unique rivalries that most players look forward to.
“They’re always looking at the Florida-Georgia game ahead of time, so we always know that’s a big game,” Miller said. “We lock in that week and try to upset them.”
Walker played for the Bulldogs from 2019-2021 until getting drafted first overall by the Jaguars in 2022. Campbell played for UGA from 2018-2020 and was selected by the Jaguars 33rd overall in the 2021 NFL draft. During their tenure in Athens, Georgia went 3-1 against Florida in the rivalry.
“The game I always circled was either the SEC Championship or the national championship,” Walker said.
Miller played for the Gators from 2018-2022. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft. His fondest memory of this rivalry: “Probably 2020 when we came out victorious,” Miller said. “I would say that was a good year for me.”
This will be the 92nd year the Florida-Georgia game will be played in Jacksonville, but it’s the second to last before the rivalry travels to Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium in 2026 and then Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium in 2027 while EverBank Stadium gets renovated. Former players have mixed feelings if taking the rivalry away from Jacksonville will change the pageantry of the game.
“No I wouldn’t say so,” Miller said.
“For sure,” Walker said. “Especially in Atlanta. I can’t say as much as for Tampa, but I know the Georgia fans are going to travel regardless so I feel like when it’s in Tampa it may be a little bit more 60/40 Georgia and then in Atlanta it’s probably 80/20 Georgia.”
Maybe on Saturday afternoon we’ll see some future Jaguars players suiting up for the Gators and Bulldogs.