Matthew Jackson Bio
Matthew Alexander Jackson is an American professional football safety who plays in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on November 9, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois, he rose through the college ranks at Eastern Kentucky before reaching the professional level. After beginning his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans, he continued his professional journey with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Most recently, he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL, continuing his career in North American professional football.
Jackson is recognized for his defensive skill set, his team-first attitude, and his ability to contribute on special teams as well as in the secondary. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 209 pounds, he has played multiple roles on defense, including linebacker and safety. His path from a high school captain in Tennessee to professional football is a story of persistence and steady development.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Alexander Jackson was born on November 9, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in a household that valued athletics and competition. He attended Hillsboro High School in Nashville, Tennessee, where he developed into a versatile multi-sport athlete. At Hillsboro, he competed in both football and track and field, demonstrating the kind of athletic range that would later help him adapt to multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball.
During his junior season in 2015, Jackson posted 39 total tackles, one interception, and two defensive touchdowns, hinting at the playmaking ability that would become a hallmark of his career. As a senior, he was named team captain and led the team with 64 tackles, two interceptions, and a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. At the same time, he excelled in track and field, winning a city long jump championship and competing at the state tournament. His senior production drew interest from several FCS programs, and he ultimately committed to play college football for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
Path to American Football
Jackson’s transition to the college level began in 2017 when he joined the Eastern Kentucky Colonels football program. He redshirted his first year, using the time to adjust to the speed and complexity of college football. Over the following seasons, he gradually earned playing time, appearing primarily on special teams and as a reserve defender while building his understanding of the Colonels’ defensive scheme.
His development accelerated during the 2020 season, when he stepped into a starting role at linebacker and led the team with 79 tackles, along with eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in nine games. The 2021 campaign proved even more productive, as he recorded 102 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles, earning All-Conference honors and recognition as a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award. By the end of his college career, he had firmly established himself as one of Eastern Kentucky’s most reliable defensive players.
Matthew Jackson Career
Early Career (2017–2022)
Matthew Alexander Jackson’s early career unfolded entirely at Eastern Kentucky, where he spent six seasons developing his game. After redshirting in 2017, he appeared in 11 games in 2018 with 11 tackles, then played 10 games in 2019 with 15 tackles, mostly contributing on special teams. Those formative years gave him the experience and discipline he needed to handle larger roles at the next level.
His breakthrough came in 2020 and 2021, when he posted 79 and 102 tackles respectively, earning All-Conference recognition and Phil Steele’s ASUN Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2021 season. In his final college season of 2022, he again led the team with 87 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks, earning All-Conference honors and third-team All-American recognition from Stats Perform. By the time he declared for the NFL, Jackson had built a reputation as a tackling machine with strong coverage instincts.
Tennessee Titans (2023–2024)
Jackson’s professional career began with the Tennessee Titans, who signed him as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He beat long odds to make the team, becoming one of just five undrafted rookies to survive final roster cuts. His early weeks with the Titans offered a glimpse of his perseverance, as he was waived on November 18 and promptly re-signed to the practice squad three days later.
His perseverance paid off when the Titans promoted him to the active roster on January 6, 2024, giving him an opportunity to finish the season in the NFL. During his time in Tennessee, he appeared in limited defensive action while continuing to contribute on special teams. The Titans later waived him on August 27, 2024, ending his first NFL stint but not his professional ambitions.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2024–Present)
Shortly after his release from the Titans, Jackson was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad on August 29, 2024. The move gave him a fresh opportunity within the AFC South and allowed him to continue refining his professional routine. He worked within the Jaguars’ defensive system while contributing on the practice field, keeping his NFL hopes alive.
Jackson remained with Jacksonville as a practice squad member, preparing for any opportunity to be elevated to the active roster. His familiarity with multiple defensive positions, including safety and linebacker, made him a flexible asset for the organization.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2026–Present)
On April 20, 2026, Matthew Alexander Jackson signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, opening a new chapter in his professional career. The Blue Bombers, one of the CFL’s most storied franchises, offered him the chance to compete for a roster spot at the professional level. He was later placed on the reserve/suspended list on May 10, 2026.
The move to the CFL reflected Jackson’s willingness to pursue every available opportunity to play professional football. His combination of tackling, coverage skills, and special teams value translated well to the Canadian game’s demands.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jackson’s career came when he made the Tennessee Titans’ final roster as an undrafted free agent in 2023, joining a small group of rookies who beat the odds. His promotion to the Titans’ active roster on January 6, 2024, marked his official arrival in the NFL. The transition to the Jacksonville Jaguars later that year and his subsequent signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers underscored his persistence and love for the game.
Matthew Jackson Career Wins
Matthew Alexander Jackson’s professional career has been defined more by perseverance than by championship hardware. Across his time with the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he has accumulated regular-season and practice squad experience while continuing to develop as a defensive back. His career NFL statistics include six total tackles during his time on active rosters, reflecting limited but meaningful defensive opportunities.
College Highlights
Jackson’s most decorated stretch came during his Eastern Kentucky career, where he earned All-Conference honors twice and was named Phil Steele’s ASUN Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. He was also a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, recognizing the top defensive player in FCS football, and was a third-team All-American by Stats Perform in 2022. His senior year totals of 87 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss helped cement his legacy as one of Eastern Kentucky’s top tacklers.
Matthew Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is no widely documented information regarding Matthew Alexander Jackson’s parents or family background in publicly available sources. His upbringing in Chicago and later Nashville shaped his athletic path, but specific family details remain private.
Personal Life
Matthew Alexander Jackson has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. There is no confirmed public information regarding a spouse or children. His social media presence reflects his focus on football and continued professional development.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 calendar year, Matthew Alexander Jackson remained with the Jacksonville Jaguars organization, working primarily as a practice squad contributor. His role within the team allowed him to refine his understanding of NFL defensive schemes while staying ready for any opportunity to be elevated to the active roster. He continued to provide depth at the safety and linebacker positions, positions where his college tackling production remained relevant at the professional level.
Although he did not log extensive regular-season defensive statistics with Jacksonville during this period, his daily preparation and special teams value kept him firmly within the team’s developmental plans. The Jaguars’ defensive staff used his versatility to simulate opposing offensive looks, an underappreciated but valuable role for any practice squad player.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s next opportunity emerged when he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in April 2026, opening a fresh professional chapter. His 2025 experience with Jacksonville positioned him well for that transition, reinforcing his pro-ready habits and broadening his exposure to varied football systems. Whether in the NFL or the CFL, Jackson continues to chase his dream of a long professional football career.