Excitement hits the city of Jacksonville ahead of NFL draft

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — We’re less than 24 hours away from a historic draft night for our city.

The Jags have the first overall pick, whom many presume will be Clemson standout, Trevor Lawrence.

The Acosta Bridge is rocking the purple and orange on the eve of the NFL draft. The hope is to welcome quarterback Lawrence to the Jags family.

Die-hard Jags fan Eric Dillard says there hasn’t been this excitement surrounding the team in years.

“We haven’t played a football game yet this year and I would say the hype is matching the same level of 2017.”

And a big reason for the hype is Trevor Lawrence.

“With Trevor the future is limitless with where we can go, Super Bowls and MVPs. I don’t see why we can’t reach those peaks,” says Dillard.

There are 7,000 fans heading to TIAA Bank Field for a sold-out draft night party. But no matter where you watch it, Dillard says, “The draft is going to be insane.”

And Dillard thinks Lawrence is the perfect fit.

“I think his philanthropy, what he likes to do outside football, it’s going to be huge.”

He knows firsthand the impact Lawrence has already had on the city.

What started out as a tweet about buying Lawrence and his new wife a toaster off their wedding registry turned into a toaster for charity.

“Overall almost $55,000 going to local charities off a simple tweet.”

Feeding Northeast Florida, K9s for Warriors and Five Star Veterans Center are the local charities getting that money.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUAR STORIES:

Boom in ticket sales ahead of 2021 Jags season

JAGS FAN DRAFT PARTY: What you need to know if you’re going

2021 NFL Draft: Looking back at the Action Sports Jax road trip ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars picking No. 1 overall

Sports apparel stores going all-in on Trevor Lawrence gear

Cox Media Group