D’Marco Jackson
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson (born July 20, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers before being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 233 pounds, Jackson has developed from a lightly recruited high school prospect into a starting NFL linebacker known for his instincts, tackling range, and special teams value.
Early Life and Background
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson was born on July 20, 1998, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He grew up in the same upstate South Carolina community and attended Broome High School, where he developed into one of the area’s most productive defensive players. As a senior, Jackson was named a finalist for South Carolina’s Mr. Football award, a recognition reserved for the state’s top high school football talent.
During his final season at Broome, Jackson recorded 78 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and a sack, drawing the attention of several college programs. Recruiting services rated him as a two-star recruit and the 61st-best player in South Carolina. Despite the modest ranking, Jackson chose to attend Appalachian State University, turning down scholarship offers from Charlotte and Georgia Southern in the process.
Path to American Football
Jackson committed to Appalachian State and began his college journey in the Sun Belt Conference, a competitive Football Bowl Subdivision league known for producing professional defensive talent. He redshirted his first year on campus, using the time to learn the Mountaineers’ defensive system and add size to his frame. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 13 games, recording 25 tackles and two tackles for loss, an early sign of his consistent productivity.
During his sophomore season, Jackson posted 60 tackles and three sacks, establishing himself as a reliable contributor on the second level of the defense. In his junior year, he tallied 87 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions, earning second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. Both of his interceptions that season came in a single 45–17 victory over Arkansas State, a breakout performance that highlighted his ability to read the field. By the end of his college career, Jackson had appeared in 53 games for Appalachian State, helping the program compile a 43–10 record during his time in Boone.
D’Marco Jackson Career
College Career (2017–2021)
Jackson’s senior season at Appalachian State marked his arrival as one of the top defenders in the Sun Belt Conference. He played in all 14 games, posting career highs of 119 tackles and six sacks, while also forcing a fumble. His production and leadership on the field earned him first-team All-Sun Belt honors and the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year award for 2021.
Those accolades cemented his status as an NFL prospect entering the 2022 Draft cycle. Appalachian State’s track record of sending players to the professional ranks gave Jackson a strong platform, and his combination of size, tackling volume, and conference honors positioned him as a Day 3 selection.
New Orleans Saints Era (2022–2024)
Jackson was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round, 161st overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. Shortly after reporting to training camp, he was placed on injured reserve on August 9, 2022, pausing his rookie development. He spent time working through the Saints’ linebacker pipeline, contributing on special teams and within the linebacker rotation over the next two seasons.
Jackson remained with New Orleans through the 2024 season, building a reputation as a dependable depth piece and special teams contributor. On August 26, 2025, he was waived by the Saints as part of the league’s final roster cuts, ending his tenure with the organization.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On August 27, 2025, Jackson was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears, who were in need of linebacker depth. Although he entered the 2025 season primarily as a special teams player, an opportunity arrived in Week 12 when injuries forced him into the starting middle linebacker role against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Serving as the defense’s play caller, he led the Bears with 15 tackles in a 31–28 victory, a performance that announced his arrival on the NFL stage.
Two weeks later, in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns, Jackson recorded his first career sack and interception, picking off quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, making him the first Bears linebacker to receive the award since Danny Trevathan in 2018. On March 9, 2026, Jackson re-signed with Chicago on a two-year, $7.5 million contract, a clear sign that the franchise views him as part of its long-term plans.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jackson is a downhill linebacker who excels at reading plays quickly and finishing tackles in space. His college production of more than 290 tackles over four seasons demonstrated consistent instincts and a high motor. At the NFL level, his special teams background and football intelligence have allowed him to step into a play-calling role, while his improved coverage skills and ball production, including his first career interception in 2025, have expanded his role within Chicago’s defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s Week 12 starting debut and Week 15 NFC Defensive Player of the Week award stand as the most notable early milestones of his professional career. His selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and his 2021 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honor further highlight the steady rise that has carried him from a two-star recruit to a starting NFL middle linebacker.
D’Marco Jackson Career Wins
As a linebacker, D’Marco Jackson’s statistical impact is measured in tackles, sacks, and defensive plays rather than wins in the traditional sense. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 69 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 pass deflections, and 1 defensive touchdown in his NFL career. His signature win as a starter came in Week 12 of 2025, when his 15-tackle performance helped the Bears defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–28.
College Highlights
Across 53 games at Appalachian State, Jackson helped the Mountaineers post a 43–10 overall record, a mark that reflected the program’s consistent success during his tenure. His 119-tackle senior season and Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021 represented the peak of his college production.
Other Performances
Jackson earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2020 and first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2021, marking back-to-back seasons of conference recognition. He was also a finalist for South Carolina’s Mr. Football award during his senior year at Broome High School.
D’Marco Jackson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jackson was raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and is the cousin of former NFL running back Maurice Morris. The family connection to the NFL provided an early example of what a professional football career could look like, even as Jackson entered college as an unheralded recruit. His path from a two-star prospect to a starting NFL linebacker reflects a family-rooted work ethic and steady development.
2025 Season Performance
Jackson’s 2025 season with the Chicago Bears began as a special teams role before evolving into a starting opportunity in the heart of the defense. After being claimed off waivers in late August, he spent the first half of the season contributing on coverage units while continuing to develop within Chicago’s linebacker rotation. His 15-tackle performance in his first NFL start against Pittsburgh in Week 12 served as the turning point of his year.
By Week 15, Jackson had produced his first career sack and interception, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition. Those moments helped solidify his standing within the Bears’ defensive scheme, where he served as the unit’s play caller. The strong finish to the season paved the way for a two-year, $7.5 million contract in March 2026, signaling that Chicago views him as a building block for the future.