Jackson received no athletic scholarship offers out of high school,[5] and poor grades further limited his college opportunities.[6] Although he signed with Arizona Western College to play for the Matadors, Jackson became homesick and secretly dropped out of school before playing a single game.[7] While out of school and living in Upper Marlboro with his parents, he took up jobs at Six Flags America, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Harris Teeter. An avid NBA 2K player, Jackson contemplated a career in esports.[6]
After receiving an email from coach Kale Pick asking if he wanted to play wide receiver for their college football team,[5] Jackson enrolled at Fort Scott Community College in 2019.[8] Although he had been recruited as a wide receiver, Jackson was more interested in playing cornerback, and he convinced the Fort Scott Greyhounds coaching staff to let him change positions partway through the season.[6][7] In his one season with the Greyhounds, Jackson recorded 25 tackles and three interceptions, becoming a top junior college prospect in the process.[9]
Jackson entered the 2022 season as a co-starter with Terrion Arnold at one cornerback position,[17] but ultimately filled a reserve role behind Arnold and Eli Ricks.[18] He made one start that season, in Alabama's 20–19 victory over Texas on September 10. Jackson recorded three tackles in that game, including one on punt coverage and one on kickoff.[13][19] After Jackson missed Alabama's games against Ole Miss and Austin Peay, Saban informed reporters that the cornerback was suspended, but he did not elaborate on the reasons or a timeline of the suspension.[20][21] In the nine games he played before his suspension, Jackson recorded seven tackles, including one for a 2-yard loss.[13][15]
Oregon (2023)
When the undergraduate NCAA transfer portal opened for the season on December 5, 2022, Jackson entered into the database.[16] He committed to the Oregon Ducks on December 18,[22] choosing the school in part due to his relationship with head coach Dan Lanning.[23] He entered the 2023 season as Oregon's starting cornerback, replacing Christian Gonzalez,[24] who had been taken in the 2023 NFL draft.[25] Jackson started all 12 games for the Ducks during the 2023 season, allowing only 19 receptions for 200 yards while recording 34 tackles, two quarterback sacks, and a team-leading three interceptions.[26][27] He was one of nine Ducks named to the 2023 All-Pac-12 Conference football team, receiving first team defense honors.[28] Although Oregon was named to the 2024 Fiesta Bowl, Jackson sat out the game to prepare for the 2024 NFL draft.[27]
Jackson was one of seven Oregon football players to receive an invitation from the National Football League (NFL) to that year's NFL Scouting Combine.[31] As a runner, he performed better in short distance bursts than at the 40-yard dash, and his 11 feet 1 inch (3.38 m) standing long jump was third among 26 players tested.[32] The NFL scouting report on Jackson questioned his inconsistent technique while praising his size and physicality.[33] Jackson also participated in Oregon's Pro Day, with a strong performance during defensive individual drills.[34][35]
The Minnesota Vikings selected Jackson in the fourth round, with the 108th overall pick, of the 2024 NFL draft.[36] Although the Vikings had an established cornerback group in Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin, and Mekhi Blackmon, they were in search of another young player to develop at the position.[37]
A candlelight vigil was held for Jackson and his teammates on July 12 at Wise High School. While leaving the vigil, a man was killed and a woman injured in a parking lot shooting.[41] Jackson's funeral service took place on July 26, in Glenarden, Maryland, and was attended by Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and other members of the Vikings coaching staff.[42] All members of the Vikings wore helmet decals with Jackson's initials during the 2024 season, with coaches and staff members wearing pins with the same design.[43]
