Jermaine Jackson

Jermaine Jackson Bio

Jermaine Jackson (born June 2, 2000) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist. He currently plays for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he handles duties as both a pass catcher and a kick returner. Jackson first entered the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 before continuing his career north of the border.

Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and listed at 170 pounds, Jackson has built his reputation on quickness, reliable hands, and versatility in the return game. His journey from Oakland, California, through the junior college ranks and into the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) has shaped him into a multi-phase contributor at the professional level.

Early Life and Background

Jackson was born on June 2, 2000, and grew up in Oakland, California. He attended San Leandro High School in California, where he developed into one of the area’s most productive skill-position players. As a senior, he totaled 751 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns while also adding 595 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, showcasing his ability to impact the game on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

During his high school years, Jackson was also a member of the United States national junior American football team, an experience that exposed him to a higher level of competition and helped refine his fundamentals. His performance in Oakland-area football drew attention from college recruiters, eventually setting the stage for his path into the collegiate ranks.

Path to American Football

Jackson began his collegiate career at the College of San Mateo in 2018, where he quickly established himself as a dynamic playmaker. In his freshman season, he recorded 14 receptions for 174 yards, demonstrating the route-running and catching skills that would become hallmarks of his game. The following year, he helped the Bulldogs capture a conference championship while posting a 12–1 overall record, finishing with 47 receptions for 622 yards, 1,303 all-purpose yards, and 11 total touchdowns. His stellar sophomore campaign earned him first-team all-state honors.

Seeking a higher level of competition, Jackson transferred to the University of Idaho to play for the Idaho Vandals of the NCAA Division I FCS. He joined a Big Sky Conference program with a strong tradition of producing professional talent, and he was expected to contribute immediately as a wide receiver and return specialist.

Jermaine Jackson Career

Early Career (2018–2021)

Jackson’s early college years were split between the College of San Mateo and the Idaho Vandals, where he steadily built his resume. After a productive two seasons at the junior college level, he arrived at Idaho in 2020, but his debut was postponed to spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his very first game for the Vandals, he suffered a torn ACL and MCL on his second attempted kickoff return, a significant setback that tested his resolve and commitment to the sport.

Following the injury, Jackson redshirted during the fall 2021 season, appearing in only four games and recording eight receptions for 93 yards. Rather than allow the major knee injury to derail his career, he used the period to rehabilitate and prepare for a full return to the field, laying the groundwork for his breakthrough campaigns.

Idaho Vandals Breakthrough (2022–2023)

Jackson broke out during the 2022 season, emerging as one of the Big Sky Conference’s most dangerous offensive weapons. He totaled 54 receptions for 1,049 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding a punt return touchdown and a kickoff return touchdown. For his efforts, he was named a first-team All-Big Sky Conference selection at both wide receiver and punt returner, a rare double honor that underscored his two-way value to the Vandals.

As a redshirt senior in 2023, Jackson played all 13 games and continued to produce as a do-it-all playmaker. He finished the season with 48 receptions for 593 yards, 18 punt returns for 332 yards, and 18 kick returns for 478 yards, scoring two receiving touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns. His strong all-around performance earned him second-team All-Big Sky recognition at wide receiver and punt returner. Across his Idaho tenure, he accumulated 107 receptions for 1,687 yards and six touchdowns, along with 666 kick return yards, 604 punt return yards, and four return touchdowns.

New Orleans Saints Era (2024)

After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jackson signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on a contract that included $150,000 in guaranteed money. He was waived/injured by the Saints on August 3, 2024, but re-signed to the practice squad on October 1, indicating the team’s continued interest in his development.

When the Saints suffered an injury to Rashid Shaheed, Jackson was signed off the practice squad to the active roster on October 17, prior to the team’s Week 7 game against the Denver Broncos. He was later waived on November 16 and re-signed to the practice squad, closing out his first NFL stint with limited but valuable exposure to the league’s highest level.

BC Lions Era (2025–Present)

On April 18, 2025, Jackson signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. His transition to the CFL offered an opportunity to play a more prominent role on both offense and special teams, leveraging the versatility he had displayed throughout his college career.

Jackson’s Lions tenure has been marked by both opportunity and adversity. On June 12, 2025, he was placed on the Lions’ 1-game injured list before rejoining the active roster on June 19. On July 13, 2025, he was again placed on the 1-game injured list after suffering an injury during a game against the Montreal Alouettes, where he spent the remainder of the 2025 CFL season. On May 31, 2026, he was released by the Lions during their final cuts before the start of the 2026 CFL season. He was re-signed on June 17, 2026, and assigned to the practice roster before being promoted back to the active roster on June 18, 2026.

Notable Events and Milestones

Jackson’s career has featured several signature moments, including his selection as a first-team All-Big Sky performer in 2022 at both wide receiver and punt returner, an honor that highlighted his rare dual-threat value. He has overcome a major knee injury early in his Idaho career to return to form, and he earned a guaranteed contract as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. Across his Idaho tenure, he totaled four return touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to flip field position in an instant.

Jermaine Jackson Career Highlights

Jackson’s most decorated stretch came during his time at Idaho, where he earned first-team All-Big Sky honors in 2022 and second-team All-Big Sky recognition in 2023. His 2022 campaign included 54 receptions for 1,049 yards and four touchdowns, complemented by return scores on both punts and kickoffs, while his 2023 season saw him play all 13 games and produce across the receiving and return phases.

College Highlights

At the College of San Mateo, Jackson helped the Bulldogs to a 12–1 record and a conference championship in 2019, earning first-team all-state honors after posting 47 receptions for 622 yards and 11 total touchdowns. At Idaho, he became a multi-phase contributor, finishing his Vandals career with 107 receptions for 1,687 yards, six receiving touchdowns, and four return touchdowns.

Professional Performances

Jackson made his NFL debut with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 after signing as an undrafted free agent, eventually being elevated to the active roster for a Week 7 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Since joining the BC Lions in 2025, he has continued to contribute on offense and special teams, recording return yards while navigating multiple stints on the injured list and roster.

Jermaine Jackson Family

Family Background and Personal Life

Jackson was raised in Oakland, California, where he developed the toughness and work ethic that have defined his football career. Public details about his immediate family, including parents and siblings, are not widely available, and Jackson has generally kept his personal background private. His path from Oakland to the professional ranks reflects the determination of a young athlete who relied on perseverance through significant injury setbacks to keep advancing.

2025 Season Performance

Jackson’s 2025 CFL season with the BC Lions began with promise following his April signing, as he was expected to contribute as a wide receiver and return specialist. He appeared in games early in the campaign, but a midseason injury during a contest against the Montreal Alouettes in July 2025 led to a stint on the 1-game injured list, ultimately keeping him out for the remainder of the year. Despite the abbreviated campaign, he remained on the Lions’ roster, with the team signaling its belief in his long-term value.

Looking ahead, Jackson’s role with the BC Lions in 2025 and beyond will likely center on special teams impact, where his punt and kick return experience from Idaho provides a clear path to consistent playing time. The Lions’ investment in re-signing him in 2026 suggests continued confidence in his development and his potential to grow into a larger offensive role once healthy. His ability to bounce back from major injuries throughout his career points to a player determined to make the most of his professional opportunity in the CFL.