In 2024, McLeod helped guide Florida to a late-season charge, winning the last four games of the season to finish with an 8-5 record overall, with victories over No. 21 LSU, No. 9 Ole Miss, Florida State and Tulane in the 16 th Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators were one of just unranked six teams in the nation to post multiple top-25 wins on the year. As a unit, the Florida defense finished the season ranked ninth in the nation in red zone defense (.725), 11 th in sacks per game (3.0), 11 th in fumbles recovered (11) and 13 th in turnovers gained (25).
The Gators finished the year with at least one takeaway in 10-straight games and 12 times in 13 games. The Gator defense improved in nearly every statistical category from 2023 to 2024, including sacks (+17), tackles for loss (+28), forced fumbles (+11), pass breakups (+12), interceptions (+11) and turnovers gained (+18). Individually along the interior defensive line, Caleb Banks and Cam Jackson were a formidable duo for opponents all season long.
Banks finished with 21 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one pass breakup, six quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. Jackson tallied 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. He joined the Gators 3 years ago after serving as Hawthorne high school defensive line coach during the 2021season.
Native of Gainesville, Florida MCLEOD graduated from Jackson State University in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in sports management & kinesiology. He earned four letters playing both defensive tackle and offensive guard for the Tigers from 2008-2012.
