Booker High alum hopes to hear his name called in NFL Draft

For Jacques Bristol, the grind has not stopped. 

Since his Central Michigan University football season ended in November, Bristol's mind has been on one thing: reaching the NFL. Bristol, a Booker High alum, has been back in Sarasota, working on his skills and his mindset every day, hoping for a phone call that changes his life. 

That phone call could come this weekend. 

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday night and runs through Saturday evening in Detroit. By the draft's end, 257 players will have their name called on the draft's stage. Bristol could be among them. In 2023, Bristol had 44 total tackles (18 solo), eight tackles for loss, four sacks and five quarterback hits while playing on the interior of the Chippewas' defensive line. His TFL and sack numbers led the team. Bristol — who is listed by Central Michigan as 6-foot-1 and 295 pounds — started 42 of the 57 games he played with the Chippewas over four seasons and was named a team captain six times.

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Like many football players, getting to this point has been a dream of Bristol's since he was young. He started thinking it a possibility back at Booker High, when he first started receiving interest from colleges. 

Getting those early offers changed the way Bristol thought about football and his own future, he said. 

"Football is one of the ways you can get out of your environment," Bristol said. "Once I got those offers, it was like, 'OK. Somebody believes in me. I have a chance.' I feel like God gave me a stepping stone for every goal I wanted to accomplish." 

Bristol made his presence known early at CMU. As a freshman, Bristol recorded a safety during a road game against the University of Miami. It was the first game his family was able to attend, Bristol said, making the moment special. It's tied for his favorite football memory alongside winning the Sun Bowl 24-21 over Washington State University in 2021. 

Despite consistent production over his five-year career — players received an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic — Bristol is not guaranteed to hear his name called at the draft. He's not as large as a typical interior lineman in the NFL, and playing in the Mid-American Conference with CMU meant Bristol was not going against a top level of competition every week. But Bristol did manage to open eyes when he and CMU played Michigan State University in week one of the 2023 season. In addition to being a Big Ten Conference school, Michigan State features former Riverview High wide receiver Jaron Glover and former Venice High defensive back Charles Brantley. 

CMU lost 31-7 to Michigan State, but Bristol had seven tackles and two tackles for loss. Bristol said the game "felt like home" to him, and he wanted to make a good impression against the other Sarasota-area players. 

Bristol said he has been working with local strength and conditioning specialist Trevor Vance daily, focusing on his explosiveness out of his stance. Bristol said he wants to become a more versatile player to fill any role an NFL team might require of him. Bristol said he received good feedback from attending the Tampa Bay Buccaneers local pro day on April 11, calling it "one of the best experiences of my life." 

"Being able to talk to the coaches and get that NFL mindset and energy, I have never had that before," Bristol said. "It opened my eyes. I know now that I really want to do this thing." 

Bristol said the coaches told him consistency is key. Every snap matters in the NFL; if he can bring 100% effort on every play, he has the chance to make it. 

Bristol said he will be watching the draft at home with a group of family and friends. Even if his name is not called during the draft itself, Bristol could sign with a team as an undrafted free agent, or a UDFA. He could also receive an invite to a team's training camp. That option would not come with a contract right away, but it would give him a chance to prove himself. In the end, that's all Bristol wants. 

"I feel great," Bristol said. "This is all a blessing. I have no words for it, honestly. I'm just star-gazing at the moment right now."