Tyree Jackson Bio
Tyree Romello Jackson, born on November 7, 1997, is an American professional football tight end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 7 in tall and listed at 249 lb, Jackson possesses the kind of rare frame that initially made him a promising college quarterback before teams reimagined him as a pass-catching big man. He attended the University at Buffalo, where he starred as a quarterback for the Buffalo Bulls, and he later signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Jackson has since played for the DC Defenders of the XFL, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the New York Giants, before landing with Washington.
Early Life and Background
Tyree Romello Jackson was born on November 7, 1997, in Norton Shores, Michigan. He grew up in his hometown and attended Mona Shores High School in Norton Shores, where he quickly established himself as a talented multi-sport athlete with a strong arm. As a four-year starting varsity quarterback, he developed into one of the most talked-about high school quarterbacks in the state of Michigan.
Across his four seasons as the starting quarterback at Mona Shores, Jackson passed for 4,491 yards with 50 touchdowns and produced 8,149 yards of total offense. He posted a 24–18 record as a starter and drew recruiting interest from several Mid-American Conference programs, eventually choosing to commit to the University at Buffalo. He had also received offers from Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and UConn, and his commitment to Buffalo was considered a notable recruiting win for the Bulls.
Path to American Football
Jackson arrived at the University at Buffalo as a developmental quarterback prospect with the physical tools to grow into a starter. After redshirting his first year in 2015, he worked through the program’s depth chart and earned the starting job during his freshman season. That opportunity gave him the stage to showcase his big arm and athleticism inside the Mid-American Conference.
By his upperclassman years, Jackson had become one of the top signal-callers in the MAC. He was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 and earned first-team All-MAC honors the same season. Following his junior campaign, he accepted an invitation to the 2019 Senior Bowl, where he played for the South team and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player, an experience that helped raise his profile around the league.
Tyree Jackson Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Jackson’s early playing years at Buffalo featured steady progression and important learning moments. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, he played in 10 games and made nine starts, completing 165 of 311 passes for 1,772 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The following season, he started eight games before an injury cost him four contests, and he finished 2017 having completed 143 of 237 passes for 2,096 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
His junior year in 2018 marked his breakout as a college quarterback. Jackson returned as the starter and led the Bulls to a 10–4 record, a MAC East division title, and a Dollar General Bowl appearance. On January 6, 2019, he announced that he would forgo his senior season to pursue an NFL career, banking on his size, arm talent, and Senior Bowl MVP performance.
Buffalo Bills (2019)
Following the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills signed Jackson as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019, giving his hometown-adjacent program a familiar landing spot. He earned an early opportunity in the preseason when he started the fourth exhibition game and led a comeback from a 23–6 deficit in the final four minutes, flashing the poise that had impressed evaluators.
Despite that late-summer momentum, Jackson was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019. His release ended his first stint in the NFL before the regular season began, though his size and athletic profile kept him firmly on league radars.
DC Defenders (2020)
In October 2019, Jackson was selected by the DC Defenders in the ninth round of the 2020 XFL Draft, opening a fresh chapter in the spring football league. Early in the season, he served as a backup behind starter Cardale Jones and posted limited statistics, including a single rush for 5 yards over the team’s first two wins.
As the season progressed, Jackson saw increased snaps before entering in relief of Jones in week 5, sparking a Defenders victory by going 9-of-14 for 39 yards and a touchdown pass to Khari Lee. The season was then cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Jackson finished the shortened 5-game campaign with 11 completions on 18 attempts for 46 yards and a touchdown, plus nine rushes for 28 yards. His contract was terminated on April 10, 2020, when the XFL suspended operations.
Philadelphia Eagles (2021–2022)
On January 7, 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Jackson to a reserve/futures contract, this time as a tight end, marking his official position change from quarterback. He had a promising training camp and was viewed as a candidate to earn a roster spot before suffering a fractured bone in his back on August 17. He was placed on injured reserve on September 2, 2021.
After being activated on November 6, 2021, Jackson made his NFL debut on November 7, appearing in 14 plays on offense and four plays on special teams. He was later targeted for the first time by Jalen Hurts on November 21 and started his first NFL game two weeks later. On January 8, 2022, in the regular-season finale, he caught his first career pass, a three-yard shovel pass from Gardner Minshew, for his first NFL touchdown, but he tore his ACL later in the same game and was placed on injured reserve. He spent the 2022 season working back from the injury, was activated from the PUP list on November 16, and was later placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 23. Although he did not play in the postseason, the Eagles reached Super Bowl LVII and lost 38–35 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
New York Giants (2023–2024)
After signing his exclusive rights tender with the Eagles in April 2023, Jackson was released on August 29. He quickly found a new home when the New York Giants signed him to their practice squad on August 30, 2023, giving him an opportunity to continue his development at tight end.
Jackson was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2024, and spent time with the Giants organization before being designated as waived/injured on August 16. His Giants tenure allowed him to keep adding to his NFL résumé despite limited regular-season production.
Washington Commanders (2024–Present)
On December 17, 2024, Jackson signed with the Washington Commanders’ practice squad, giving him another fresh opportunity late in the season. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Commanders on January 28, 2025, locking in his place on the offseason roster as he pushed for a larger role. He was placed on injured reserve on August 2, but remains part of Washington’s tight end group heading into the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jackson’s defining trait is his 6 ft 7 in frame, which makes him a natural mismatch against linebackers and safeties as a tight end. He combines that size with the throwing background and athleticism developed during his years as a quarterback, allowing him to move fluidly in space and adjust to the ball in the air. Coaches have emphasized his willingness to refine his blocking technique and route tree, leaning on his intelligence and prior signal-calling experience to accelerate his growth at his new position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s career has featured several signature moments, including being named MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, earning Senior Bowl MVP honors, and scoring his first NFL touchdown on a shovel pass from Gardner Minshew on January 8, 2022. He also helped lead the Buffalo Bulls to a MAC East division title and a Dollar General Bowl appearance during his junior season, and he has been part of three NFL organizations since entering the league in 2019.
Tyree Jackson Career Wins
Tyree Jackson’s professional résumé has not been built around headline win totals but rather around opportunity, transition, and milestone moments. His college career produced a 10–4 season, a MAC East division crown, and a Dollar General Bowl appearance, while his pro path has taken him through multiple teams across the NFL and XFL, with each stop adding to his experience.
Buffalo Bulls Highlights
During his time with the Buffalo Bulls, Jackson earned the MAC Offensive Player of the Year award in 2018 and was selected first-team All-MAC the same season. He led the program to a 10–4 record, a MAC East division title, and an appearance in the Dollar General Bowl. His individual statistics across his college career included 3,868 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Other Wins and Performances
Jackson played a supporting role in the DC Defenders’ early 2020 XFL victories and helped spark a week 5 win with a relief performance that included a touchdown pass to Khari Lee. He also appeared in the Eagles’ run to Super Bowl LVII as part of the team’s tight end room.
Tyree Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jackson was raised in Norton Shores, Michigan, where he attended Mona Shores High School and developed into one of the area’s most recognizable quarterbacks. His family has not been publicly detailed in available records.
Personal Life
Jackson has kept his personal life largely private, with no public details about a spouse or children confirmed in available records. He continues to focus on his professional football career, currently with the Washington Commanders.
2025 Season Performance
Tyree Jackson enters the 2025 NFL season with the Washington Commanders after signing a reserve/future contract on January 28, 2025. His path to a regular roster role begins on the reserve/future deal, with the offseason program offering a chance to compete for snaps within Washington’s tight end room.
Jackson was placed on injured reserve on August 2, a setback that delayed his on-field contributions for the year. Even so, his prior experience with multiple NFL organizations, including stints with the Eagles and Giants, gives him a familiar foundation to lean on while he works his way back.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s size, prior quarterback background, and history of producing key plays, including his first NFL touchdown with the Eagles, make him an intriguing depth piece for the Commanders. If healthy, he has an opportunity to carve out a role as a red-zone target and a developmental blocker, building on his career totals of 3 receptions for 22 yards and 1 receiving touchdown.
