NFL CAREER – After spending the entire 2022 season on Injured Reserve, Jackson became a solid contributor on special teams in his first game action in the Black and Gold in 2023. He played in all 17 contests, recording eight special teams stops, a special teams fumble recovery, and added four tackles on defense (one solo). The third-year pro will look to compete for time at linebacker and continue to contribute to one of the NFL's top special teams units in 2024. Â
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Placed on Injured Reserve, 8/9/22; Signed to a four-year contract, 5/13/22; Selected in the fifth round (161st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
2023 – Contributed on special teams in all 17 games, making defensive debut in Week 18 and finishing with four stops (one solo), eight coverage stops and one special teams fumble recovery for a touchdown…In opening win vs. Tennessee, Sept. 10, recorded two assisted tackles…At Carolina, Sept. 18, recovered the onside kick at end of contest to help New Orleans seal the victory and start 2-0 for the first time since 2013…Vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 1, recorded one assisted tackle…At New England, Oct. 8, recorded two tackles (one solo)…At Minnesota, Nov. 12, recorded one solo tackle…Vs. Carolina, Dec. 10, recovered fumble forced by LB Nephi Sewell on punt attempt and recovered it for first career TD…At Tampa Bay, Dec. 31, recorded an assisted tackle…In finale vs. Atlanta, 1/724, saw first defensive action of career and rotated in on special teams. Recorded four defensive tackles (one solo). 2022 – Spent season on Injured Reserve (hamstring).
COLLEGE – Known as a versatile linebacker coming out of Appalachian State, Jackson was the only FBS player with more than 200 tackles and 25 tackles for loss in the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined. Played in all 53 games with 32 starts for the Mountaineers, recording 296 tackles, 34.0 stops for loss, 11.5 sacks, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, and a touchdown on the return of a blocked punt…As senior in 2021, earned PFN second-team All-America, while being named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Sun Belt. Started all 14 games as a team captain in 2021 and posted 120 tackles, 19 stops for loss, six sacks, an interception, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and 27 QB pressures, making him the only FBS player in the 2000s that had at least 120 tackles, 19 stops for loss and six passes defensed in same season…First-team All-Sun Belt (Phil Steele) and second-team All-Sun Belt (conference) as a junior in 2020 who started all 12 contests at ILB, posting team-high tying 91 tackles, also contributing 6.5 stops for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery…Played in all 14 games with six starts at ILB as a sophomore in 2019, placing fifth on team with 60 tackles (31 solo) along with 6.5 stops for loss, three sacks and two passes defensed…As redshirt freshman, appeared in all 13 games at ILB and on special teams and recorded 25 tackles (a team-high tying total among underclassmen), two stops for loss and one pass deflected…Helped lead Appalachian State to two Sun Belt Conference titles, a Sun Belt East Division title and three bowl wins…Earned bachelor's degree and pursuing an MBA.
PERSONAL – Attended Broome (Spartanburg, S.C.) HS, where he was a South Carolina Mr. Football finalist…Finished high school career with over 400 tackles, 27 stops for loss, 15 sacks and eight interceptions…Rushed for over 3,000 yards…Broome team MVP in 2015 and 2016…Four-time All-Area and All-Academic…Lettered in track and field and was state discus champion…Cousin Maurice Morris played RB for the Seattle Seahawks (2002-08) and Detroit Lions (2009-11)…Older brothers played football at Pikeville College and Limestone College…Grew up on a family farm that specializes in raising cattle…Enjoys fishing, horse riding, bull riding, and calf wrestling…In offseason, worked with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) "Reach Out" program, a court diversion program for first-time youthful offenders charged with a non-violent felony, providing them with the opportunity to earn the right to have their charges dismissed…Rode in the Krewe of Tucks Mardi Gras parade…To celebrate "504 Day" on May 4, 2023, Jackson, two teammates and other team employees joined with Second Harvest Food Bank to give back through their food packing event…Played in 2023 Saints Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at Chateau Country Club in Kenner…Regular visitor to the pediatric cancer ward at Ochsner Children's Hospital.
