Austin Jackson Bio
Austin Jackson is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans and was selected by the Dolphins in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Jackson has played his entire pro career in Miami, working at both left and right tackle while protecting franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Born on August 11, 1999, Jackson developed into a five-star recruit in Arizona before launching a productive college career at USC. After three seasons with the Trojans, he declared for the draft and has since become a steady presence on a Dolphins offensive line that has helped the team rise back into playoff contention.
Early Life and Background
Austin Jackson was born on August 11, 1999, in Sacramento, California, but grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended North Canyon High School in Phoenix, where he lined up on both the offensive and defensive lines for the school’s football team. He also competed on the school’s basketball and track and field teams, which helped him develop the foot quickness and overall athleticism that scouts later praised.
As a senior, Jackson was rated a five-star recruit and was considered the best college prospect in the state of Arizona. He committed to the University of Southern California over scholarship offers from Washington and Arizona State, setting the stage for his move to Los Angeles and his introduction to Pac-12 football.
Jackson comes from a family with deep football roots. His grandfather, Melvin Jackson, also played offensive line at USC and went on to play in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, giving Austin a clear example of a college-to-pro career path.
Path to American Football
Jackson’s path to the NFL began during his senior year at North Canyon High School, where his combination of size, length, and movement skills pushed him into the national recruit conversation. His commitment to USC gave him an early opportunity to compete against top college competition and develop under a long-standing offensive line tradition in Los Angeles.
His high school coaches and college recruiters viewed him as a long-term tackle prospect because of his basketball background and track experience, both of which sharpened his lateral quickness. Those traits helped him transition smoothly into the USC program as a true freshman.
Austin Jackson Career
Early Career (2017–2019, USC)
Jackson played in all 14 of USC’s games as a true freshman in 2017, appearing as a reserve offensive lineman while contributing on the field goal unit on special teams. During that season he played on both sides of the field goal block team and recorded a blocked kick against Colorado.
He entered his sophomore year as USC’s starting left tackle and started all 12 games that season, cementing his role as a long-term building block for the Trojans. Across his three college seasons he appeared in all 39 of USC’s games and made 25 starts, finishing his career as one of the most experienced blockers in the program.
USC Breakthrough (2019)
Heading into his junior year, Jackson missed part of summer practice after undergoing surgery to donate bone marrow to his younger sister Autumn, who has Diamond–Blackfan anemia. He returned in early August and worked his way back into game shape in time to open the season as USC’s starting left tackle.
After a strong early stretch he was named the Pac-12 Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week for Week 2, following a performance that included blocking a 43-yard field goal attempt in a 45–20 win over Stanford. He closed the year by being named first-team All-Pac-12, then announced that he would forgo his senior season and declare for the 2020 NFL draft.
Miami Dolphins Era (2020–Present)
Jackson was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, after Miami had traded defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to Pittsburgh to move up for the selection. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, starting at left tackle against the New England Patriots and playing every offensive snap. He later landed on injured reserve with a foot injury before being activated in November of his rookie year.
In 2022, Jackson shifted to right tackle and opened the year as a starter before ankle injuries sent him to short-term injured reserve twice during the season. He returned as the starting right tackle in 2023, started every game protecting Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside, and signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension that included $20.7 million guaranteed. In 2024 he started eight games and later underwent knee surgery that ended his season, and he began the 2025 season as Miami’s starting right tackle before a toe injury put him on injured reserve in September.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jackson is a tall, long tackle whose basketball background shows up in his foot quickness and ability to mirror edge rushers in pass protection. He has the length and anchor to handle power rushers on the outside while staying mobile enough to reach defenders in the run game and on screen plays. His reliability on the blindside has made him a trusted protector for Tua Tagovailoa.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s 2023 contract extension was a defining professional milestone, reinforcing his standing as a long-term piece of the Dolphins’ offensive line. His first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2019 marked him as one of the top linemen in the conference, and his decision to donate bone marrow to his sister Autumn stood out as one of the more meaningful off-field moments of his early career.
Austin Jackson Career Wins
Austin Jackson has not been credited with major individual awards at the NFL level, but his career has been marked by steady development and long-term starting roles at both tackle spots. His biggest team-level milestone has been serving as a fixture on a Dolphins offensive line that has protected one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
USC and Dolphins Highlights
At USC, Jackson earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019 and played in 39 career games with 25 starts across three seasons. With Miami, he has worked into a regular starting role, including a full season as the starting right tackle in 2023 that culminated in his three-year contract extension.
Other Performances
Jackson has also drawn praise for his work in pass protection, where his length and technique have limited pressure on the quarterback. His willingness to play through injuries early in his career has been a recurring theme for the Dolphins’ coaching staff.
Austin Jackson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Austin Jackson comes from a family with a clear football lineage. His grandfather, Melvin Jackson, played offensive line at USC and later spent time in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, which helped shape Austin’s early understanding of what a college-to-pro career could look like.
Personal Life
Jackson has been in a relationship with McKayla Rain, and the couple share a son who was born in 2023. Jackson also has a younger sister, Autumn, who has Diamond–Blackfan anemia, and in 2019 he underwent surgery to donate bone marrow to her. He has spent much of his NFL career based in Phoenix, Arizona.
2025 Season Performance
Jackson entered the 2025 season as Miami’s starting right tackle and opened the year in the lineup against the Indianapolis Colts. A toe injury suffered in that game led to a short-term injured reserve placement on September 13, 2025, pausing his season after only one appearance.
He was activated on November 29 ahead of Miami’s Week 13 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, giving the Dolphins a veteran presence back at right tackle for the stretch run. With the team still pushing toward a playoff spot, his return was a key piece of the offensive line rotation down the stretch.
Looking ahead, Jackson remains under contract with Miami through the 2026 season after signing his three-year extension, and his health through the rest of 2025 will shape how the Dolphins approach the offensive line this offseason.
