Nick Jackson (American football)

Last updated

Nick Jackson
Personal information
Born: (2001-01-05) January 5, 2001 (age 24)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
Position: Linebacker
High school: The Lovett School (Atlanta, Georgia)
College: Virginia (20192022)
Iowa (20232024)
NFL draft: 2025: undrafted
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nick Jackson (born January 5, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Contents

Jackson is tied with Erick Hicks Jr. of Tulane for the third-most college football games played in Division I history with 67.

Early life and high school

Jackson attended The Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia. He was rated as the 24th best linebacker[ by whom? ] and committed to play college football for the Virginia Cavaliers over offers from Duke, Northwestern, and Texas A&M. [1]

College career

Virginia

As a freshman in 2019, Jackson tallied 28 tackles with one being for a loss, and half a sack. [2] In week 8 of the 2020 season, he notched a career 16 tackles in a loss to Miami. [3] Jackson finished the 2020 season with 105 tackles with six going for a loss, two and a half sacks, two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and two receptions for 34 yards. [2] In 2021, he notched 117 tackles with six being for a loss, two and a half sacks, and two pass deflections. [2] In week 9 of the 2022 season versus Miami, Jackson recorded 14 tackles with half a tackle being for a loss, and a pass deflection, and he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) linebacker of the week. [4] He finished the season with 104 tackles and five sacks, earning second-team all-ACC. [5] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Jackson entered the NCAA transfer portal. [6]

Iowa

Jackson transferred to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes to finish out his career. [7] In week 2 of the 2023 season, versus Iowa State, he totaled nine tackles in a win. [8] In week 5, Jackson was named the Big Ten Conference co-defensive player of the week in a 26-16 win over Michigan State. [9] For his performance on the 2023 season, he was named third-team all-Big Ten. [10]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+34 in
(1.85 m)
228 lb
(103 kg)
31+14 in
(0.79 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
4.75 s1.65 s2.74 s4.44 s7.10 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)
9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)
16 reps
All values from Pro Day [11] [12]

On May 12, 2025, after going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft, Jackson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. [13] He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. [14]

References

  1. Simmons, Chad. "Nick Jackson to Virginia: "I committed to my dream school". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Nick Jackson College Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  3. Wood, Norm (November 11, 2020). "'I was always a Virginia fan.' Nick Jackson is an impact linebacker for the Cavaliers". Daily Press. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  4. Shifflett, John (October 31, 2022). "Virginia football notebook: Nick Jackson named ACC Linebacker of the Week". Daily Progress. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  5. "Virginia football captain Nick Jackson is entering his name in the transfer portal, but hasn't ruled out a return to the Cavaliers". News & Advance. December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  6. Barber, Mike (January 30, 2023). "Stuck in the portal: Virginia's All-ACC linebacker one of more than 120 ACC players who hasn't found a new home". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  7. Thomas, Nathan (September 2, 2023). "College Football: Linebackers Jackson and Higgins ready to continue Iowa's defensive standard". Globe Gazette. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  8. Dochterman, Scott. "Transfer Nick Jackson providing Iowa defense with versatility, leadership". The Athletic. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  9. "Hawkeyes Cooper DeJean, Nick Jackson earn Big Ten recognition". KCCI. October 2, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  10. Steppe, John. "Nick Jackson's year with Iowa football has been 'short time,' but 'great time'". The Gazette. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  11. "Nick Jackson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  12. "Nick Jackson RAS". RAS.Football. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  13. Smith, Scott. "Tryout Players Nick Jackson, Dvon J-Thomas Land Roster Spots". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  14. Smith, Scott. "Kyle Trask, Trey Palmer Among Cuts as Bucs Get Roster Down to 53". buccaneers.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.