DaVon Hamilton's ready for a dominant season, embracing leadership and a renewed focus on fun after overcoming injury. An emerging leader on Jacksonville's defense feels the team's cultural shift.
Jacksonville Jaguar DaVon Hamilton joined the team's YouTube channel on Tuesday to talk about his offseason and expectations for next season, with spring OTAs on the horizon.
The sixth-year nose tackle says he has enjoyed spending time with his family, but has "definitely been working hard" to prepare for the upcoming season.
Hamilton, a former third-round pick in the 2020 draft, recorded 38 tackles and one sack last year, serving as a run-stopper in the trenches for a team that was ranked among the best run defenses in the league last season.
The Pickering, Ohio, native and former Ohio State star has been reliable since arriving in Jacksonville, playing in 16-17 games in four of his six seasons in the NFL.
In 2023, Hamilton suffered a non-football related back injury, keeping him sidelined until Week 10 and limited upon his return.
Hamilton talked about getting back to full health and starting to feel like himself again, while keeping "fun" as the main focus.
"It felt really, really good and, you know, just really going out there and just having fun," Hamilton said. "So, I felt like that was my biggest emphasis last year."
One of Hamilton's biggest moments came against the Las Vegas Raiders in early November, as the 6-foot-4 lineman sealed the 30-29 overtime victory with a goal-line swat to thwart quarterback Geno Smith's two-point attempt.
Hamilton credited the Jaguars' coaching staff for keeping him ready for any moment that confronts him, while saying head coach Liam Coen and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile have got "buy-in" from a squad that's ready to "win a lot of games" next season.
"From the outside, we feel like we've seen a lot of the buy-in and part of that, at least on the defensive side of the ball, has been coach Camp," Hamilton said. "Everybody kind of has a different perspective of him, but he's just so intense and, you know, he was getting interviews for head coaching positions, but he's going to be back this year.
"I feel like he just ultimately really cares about you as a person."
Campanile interviewed for several head-coach openings during the offseason before the Jacksonville signed him and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski to new contracts in late January.
Hamilton said he is focused on carrying over the team's 2025 success, especially late in the season, into the upcoming season, as he feels the team is experiencing a cultural change.
At 29 years old, Hamilton and 12-year veteran Arik Armstead are the most experienced duo on the Jags' defensive front, lining up next to Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, who recently signed a four-year, $110 million extension.
Hamilton talked about embracing a veteran role and getting used to being one of the more experienced players in the locker room.
"I feel like my rookie year was just a couple years ago, you know what I mean? Like, it doesn't feel so long," Hamilton said. "I'm still learning, too. So, trying to teach the young guys and still trying to learn yourself is pretty unique. It'll be a good experience, though."
The Jaguars will kick off their first day of workouts on April 20.
ㅤ
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!