Jordan Jackson Bio
Jordan Jackson (born January 30, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 294 pounds, he plays as an edge defender in the Broncos front seven. He played college football for the Air Force Falcons and entered the NFL after being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Jackson has built his professional career through perseverance and movement between active rosters and practice squads. After a short stint in New Orleans, he joined Denver and gradually earned a stable role on the defensive line. His combination of size, length, and developmental upside has positioned him as a rotational piece for the Broncos.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Jackson was born on January 30, 1998, in Jacksonville, Florida. He grew up in the Jacksonville area and attended The Bolles School, a well-known private high school recognized for its strong athletic programs. At Bolles, he developed the physical foundation that would later support his transition to college football.
Coming out of high school, Jackson was rated as a two-star recruit by 247Sports.com. Despite the modest rating, his size and frame drew attention from college programs. He chose to pursue a path that combined academics, military service, and athletics, an uncommon but disciplined route to professional football.
Jackson committed to the United States Air Force Academy and enrolled before the 2017 season. His time at Air Force required balancing the demanding military training schedule with the responsibilities of being a college athlete. This environment helped shape his work ethic, discipline, and leadership habits.
Path to American Football
Jackson’s development as a defensive lineman took place within the structured environment of Air Force Falcons football. The program is known for producing technically sound and physically tough players who can handle multiple roles on defense. He spent five seasons in the program, playing from 2017 through 2021, and grew into one of the team’s more reliable defensive ends.
His college progression was steady rather than sudden. By his senior season, his performance earned him second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2021, a recognition that highlighted his impact as a pass rusher and run defender. That award helped raise his profile in the eyes of NFL scouts.
Following the 2021 college season, Jackson declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. His size, length, and motor made him an attractive late-round prospect for teams looking to develop depth along the defensive line. The New Orleans Saints selected him with the 194th overall pick in the sixth round of the draft.
Jordan Jackson Career
Early Career (2022)
Jackson began his professional career with the New Orleans Saints after being drafted in April 2022. He joined the team during the offseason program and worked to earn a role on the defensive line. The Saints saw him as a developmental prospect with the physical tools to compete at the NFL level.
His initial stay in New Orleans was brief. On August 30, 2022, Jackson was waived as part of the team’s final roster cuts. The very next day, August 31, 2022, he was signed to the Saints’ practice squad, keeping him within the organization. Although he did not appear in regular-season games during his rookie year, the practice squad experience allowed him to continue his development.
New Orleans Saints Period (2022)
Jackson’s time with the New Orleans Saints served as his introduction to the professional game. The Saints used him primarily as a practice squad defensive end, giving him time to refine his technique against NFL-level offensive linemen. Although his name did not appear in regular-season box scores, the experience built the foundation for his future opportunities.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
On January 10, 2023, Jackson signed a futures contract with the Denver Broncos, signaling a fresh start with a new organization. He participated in the Broncos’ offseason program and continued to develop. On August 29, 2023, he was waived as part of final roster cuts, but he was re-signed to the practice squad the same year, maintaining his place in the team system.
On January 8, 2024, Jackson signed a reserve/future contract with Denver, keeping him in the organization heading into the 2024 season. In September 2024, after making the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster, Broncos general manager George Paton publicly noted that he had wanted to draft Jackson in 2022. The comment reflected the organization’s long-term interest in his development.
On March 4, 2025, the Broncos assigned Jackson an exclusive-rights free agent tender, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season. On March 6, 2026, the Broncos once again assigned his ERFA tender, ensuring his continued presence on the roster. This stability reflects the value Denver places on his role as a rotational defensive end.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jackson’s strengths as a defensive end are rooted in his physical profile. At 6 feet 4 inches tall and 294 pounds, he has the size and length to hold up against the run and to challenge offensive tackles in pass protection. His time at Air Force instilled discipline and technique, allowing him to play with consistent leverage and effort. As he continues to refine his pass-rushing plan, his frame gives him the ceiling to develop into a more disruptive force off the edge.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant moments of Jackson’s career came in September 2024, when he made the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster, an achievement that validated years of practice squad work and development. The confirmation from general manager George Paton that the team had wanted to draft him in 2022 added historical context to his rise. His second-team All-Mountain West selection in 2021 also stands as a major college milestone.
Jordan Jackson Career Wins
Jordan Jackson’s professional career is still in its developmental stage, and his most meaningful victories have come in the form of roster achievements rather than statistical milestones. As a rotational defensive end for the Denver Broncos, his primary wins have been earning spots on active rosters and securing contract continuity. Through the 2025 season, his career totals included 22 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble, per league statistics through Week 18 of 2025.
Denver Broncos Highlights
Jackson’s Denver Broncos highlights are centered on his steady climb from practice squad contributor to active roster member. Making the 53-man roster in September 2024 was a defining moment, demonstrating that the coaching staff trusted him in game plans. His re-signings and ERFA tenders in 2025 and 2026 further confirmed the franchise’s investment in his role.
Other Wins & Performances
Before his professional career, Jackson’s most notable performance was earning second-team All-Mountain West honors in 2021 during his final season at Air Force. That recognition elevated his draft stock and helped him secure a sixth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Jordan Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jordan Jackson was raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended The Bolles School for his high school education. Public details about his parents and extended family are limited, and he has not shared extensive information about his family background in widely available sources.
Personal Life
Jackson has kept his personal life relatively private, focusing public attention on his football career. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle jordan_jackkkk94. There is no widely confirmed public information regarding a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Jordan Jackson entered training camp as an established member of the Denver Broncos’ defensive line rotation. His exclusive-rights free agent tender, signed on March 4, 2025, locked him in through the season and allowed the coaching staff to plan around his presence. He appeared in regular-season games and contributed to the defensive front, working alongside veteran edge defenders.
Through the 2025 campaign, Jackson continued to focus on building his NFL resume. He recorded tackles and contributed to run defense while searching for his next breakthrough pass-rushing moment. The Broncos’ defensive scheme gave him opportunities to develop his game in rotational packages, and his role appeared to be trending upward as the season progressed.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s outlook with the Broncos remains positive. The team’s continued investment in him through an additional ERFA tender in March 2026 shows long-term confidence in his trajectory. With continued growth in technique and pass-rush production, Jackson has a clear opportunity to expand his role within Denver’s defense in upcoming seasons.
