Drake Jackson Bio
Drake Jackson is an American professional football defensive end for the Washington Commanders in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft, with the 61st overall pick. Standing 6 feet 4 inches and listed at 273 pounds, he has developed into a pass-rushing defensive end known for his length and quick first step at the line of scrimmage.
Early Life and Background
Drake Jackson was born on April 12, 2001, in Corona, California, in the United States. He grew up in the Inland Empire region of Southern California and attended Centennial High School in Corona, where he first emerged as a promising defensive prospect.
As a senior at Centennial, Jackson delivered a dominant season that included 50 tackles and eight sacks, performances that earned him recognition as The Press-Enterprise Defensive Player of the Year. His high school production drew the attention of multiple college programs, and he ultimately committed to the University of Southern California to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Jackson arrived at USC as a highly regarded recruit and quickly earned a role on the field. As a true freshman in 2019, he started for the Trojans and recorded 46 tackles along with 5.5 sacks across 11 games, signaling his readiness for top-level college competition.
His development continued across his three seasons in the Pac-12 Conference, where he earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019, 2020, and 2021. By the end of his junior year, Jackson had positioned himself as one of the premier defensive end prospects in the country, leading to his selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
Drake Jackson Career
Early Career (2022)
Drake Jackson entered the NFL when the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the second round with the 61st overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft. He joined a deep 49ers defensive line and worked into the rotation as a rookie edge rusher during his first professional season.
Jackson notched his first NFL sack in Week 3 of the 2022 season against the Denver Broncos, a milestone that confirmed his ability to translate his college production to the professional level. The 49ers featured him regularly in sub-packages as he continued to refine his technique against professional offensive tackles.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Jackson opened the 2023 season with one of his most productive games as a pro, recording three sacks in the 49ers’ 30–7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. The performance showcased his pass-rushing potential and established him as a disruptive force on the San Francisco defensive front.
His 2023 progress was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 11, 2023, after undergoing patellar tendon surgery. Jackson began the 2024 season on the reserve/PUP list as he continued his recovery and ultimately missed the entire 2024 campaign before being waived by the 49ers on May 9, 2025.
Washington Commanders Era (2025–Present)
On October 15, 2025, Drake Jackson signed with the Washington Commanders, who placed him on injured reserve the following day as a planned move tied to his continuing patellar tendon recovery. The Commanders activated him on December 4, marking his return to the active roster and a fresh start in the NFC East.
Jackson signed a one-year contract extension with the Commanders on March 12, 2026, committing to the organization as he works to re-establish his pass-rushing role. His move to Washington represents an opportunity to restart his career with a new defensive scheme and fresh coaching staff.
Driving Style and Strengths
Drake Jackson is a long, athletic edge rusher whose 6-foot-4 frame gives him the length to disrupt passing lanes and bat down throws at the line of scrimmage. His quick first step and active hands allow him to win the edge against offensive tackles, while his background in a 49ers-style rotation has prepared him to contribute as both a run defender and pass rusher. As he continues his recovery, his combination of size, length, and prior production makes him a high-upside rotational piece along the Commanders’ defensive front.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s first NFL sack came in Week 3 of the 2022 season against the Denver Broncos, his first signature play at the professional level. He followed that with a three-sack performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the 2023 season, his most productive single game to date. His selection as the 61st overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft and his three consecutive second-team All-Pac-12 selections underscore his standing as a long-term NFL prospect.
Drake Jackson Career Wins
Drake Jackson’s win totals are best tracked through team and conference success rather than individual victories. Across his time at USC, he earned three consecutive second-team All-Pac-12 honors, and his NFL career has been defined more by disruptive plays and career milestones than by win-loss ledger entries at the individual level.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Jackson has accumulated 24 tackles, 6 sacks, 9 pass deflections, and 1 interception through the 2025 season, reflecting his versatility as an edge defender. His first NFL sack came against the Denver Broncos in 2022, and his most memorable performance came in the 2023 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he recorded three sacks in a single game. These highlights frame him as a developing playmaker along the defensive line.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Jackson earned three consecutive second-team All-Pac-12 honors from 2019 through 2021, establishing himself as one of the top defensive ends in the conference during his USC career. He was also named The Press-Enterprise Defensive Player of the Year as a high school senior at Centennial, an early indicator of the production that followed at the collegiate and professional levels.
Drake Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Drake Jackson’s family background is limited, and specific details about his parents and any family ties to football are not documented in available verified sources. He grew up in Corona, California, where he developed into a high-level high school prospect before moving on to USC and the NFL.
Personal Life
Details about Drake Jackson’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. His professional focus has remained on his football career, including his recovery from patellar tendon surgery and his transition to the Washington Commanders organization.
2025 Season Performance
Drake Jackson’s 2025 season storyline centered on his recovery from patellar tendon surgery and his midseason addition to the Washington Commanders. After being waived by the San Francisco 49ers on May 9, 2025, he signed with Washington on October 15 and was immediately placed on injured reserve as part of a planned continuation of his rehabilitation from the 2023 procedure.
The Commanders activated Jackson on December 4, giving him the opportunity to rejoin the active roster late in the regular season. His return allowed him to compete for rotational snaps along the Washington defensive line and to begin building a foundation with the team’s coaching staff and defensive scheme.
Looking ahead, Jackson signed a one-year contract extension with the Commanders on March 12, 2026, signaling the organization’s belief in his long-term potential. His outlook for the upcoming seasons will depend on continued health, his ability to reclaim his pre-injury form, and his fit within Washington’s defensive plans as he enters his prime years as an NFL edge rusher.
