Matthew Jackson Bio
Matthew Alexander Jackson is an American professional football safety, born on November 9, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois. He played college football for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels from 2017 to 2022. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jackson signed with the Tennessee Titans, where he made the final roster as an undrafted free agent. He established himself as a promising player during his college career, achieving notable performance statistics, including being named all-conference and earning several awards for his defensive skills.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Jackson was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Hillsboro High School in Nashville, Tennessee. During his high school years, he excelled in both football and track and field. As a junior, he recorded 39 total tackles, an interception, and two defensive touchdowns. In his senior year, he was named team captain and led his team with 64 tackles, along with two interceptions, one of which he returned for a 100-yard touchdown. Additionally, he won the city long jump championship in track and field and competed at the state tournament. After high school, he committed to play college football for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, turning down several other offers from FCS programs.
Path to American Football
Matthew Jackson began his college football career at Eastern Kentucky in 2017, where he redshirted his freshman year. Over the next two seasons, he had limited playing time, recording 11 tackles in 11 games in 2018 and 15 tackles in 10 games in 2019, primarily contributing on special teams. His breakout season came in 2020 when he started at linebacker, leading the team with 79 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in nine games. In 2021, he continued to build on his success, posting 102 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. His performance earned him all-conference honors and made him a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award for the best FCS defensive player. In his final year, 2022, he again led Eastern Kentucky with 87 tackles, along with 7.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks, earning all-conference recognition and being named a third-team All-American by Stats Perform.
Matthew Jackson Career
Early Career (2023)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Matthew Jackson signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. He made a significant impact by being one of five undrafted rookies to make the team’s final roster. However, he faced challenges during the season, being waived on November 18, 2023, before re-signing to the practice squad three days later. He was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2024, showcasing his resilience and determination to succeed in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)
Following his time with the Tennessee Titans, Matthew Jackson was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad on August 29, 2024. This move marked a new chapter in his professional career as he continued to pursue his goals in the NFL.
Matthew Jackson Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Matthew Jackson has been recognized for his outstanding performances on the field, particularly during his college years, where he earned several all-conference honors and was a candidate for prestigious awards.
Matthew Jackson Awards Won
Matthew Jackson’s accolades include being named the ASUN Conference Defensive Player of the Year and receiving third-team All-American honors from Stats Perform, highlighting his exceptional skills and contributions to his teams.
Matthew Jackson Family
Information regarding Matthew Jackson’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Matthew Jackson’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly disclosed.