Troy defensive end T.J. Jackson is entering the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report Wednesday by Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports.

Jackson was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season, but finished with 27 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 10 games. The Millbrook native was a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference pick in 2022, when he totaled 55 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

Jackson — who has one season of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt year — would be the fifth Troy starter to enter the NCAA transfer portal in the last 10 days, following linebacker Jayden McDonald, safety Caleb Ransaw, wide receiver Jabre Barber and offensive tackle Derrick Graham. McDonald was the Trojans’ leading tackler in 2023, while Barber was the team’s top receiver.

Jackson’s departure means Troy will lose the entire starting front line from a defense that was among the national leaders with 47 sacks and 104 tackles for loss this season. Defensive tackles Buddha Jones and A.J. Pierce and outside linebacker Richard Jibunor graduated, while outside linebacker Javon Solomon declared for the NFL draft.

Troy had already lost upwards of a dozen starters to graduation after going 11-3 and winning its second straight Sun Belt Conference championship. Head coach Jon Sumrall left for Tulane on Dec. 8; he was replaced by Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker.