Alaric Jackson

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    Alaric Jackson Bio

    Alaric Jackson is a Canadian and American professional football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes before joining the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Jackson won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams and has since become a fixture on the team’s offensive line. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 156 kilograms, he is one of the larger linemen in the league.

    Jackson holds dual Canadian and American citizenship and grew up moving between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. After a successful college career at the University of Iowa, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams on May 3, 2021, and quickly made an impact in the league.

    Early Life and Background

    Alaric Jackson was born on July 14, 1998, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He grew up near the areas of West Seven Mile and Schafer in Detroit, Michigan, spending summers in the city with his father, known as Al Sr. The family later moved to Detroit, where Jackson was raised. He holds dual citizenship in both Canada and the United States, a reflection of his upbringing across the border between Windsor and Detroit.

    Jackson attended Renaissance High School in Detroit, where he originally played basketball. He did not begin playing football until his junior year, a relatively late start for a future offensive lineman. Despite the late introduction to the sport, he developed quickly enough to attract scholarship offers from several major college programs.

    Coming out of high school, Jackson committed to play college football at the University of Iowa over offers from Iowa State, Nebraska, and Michigan State. His combination of size, athleticism, and upside convinced the Iowa coaching staff that he could develop into a starting offensive tackle.

    Path to American Football

    Jackson’s path to the NFL was unconventional. After spending his early high school years focused on basketball, he switched to football as a junior at Renaissance High School. The change of sports did not slow his development, as he quickly earned recognition as one of the top offensive line prospects in the region.

    His commitment to Iowa over in-region programs such as Michigan State and Nebraska signaled the level of interest he had generated. Once enrolled, he redshirted his true freshman season, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the speed and physicality of Big Ten football. That patience paid off when he stepped into the starting lineup the following year.

    Jackson’s rapid rise through Iowa’s program reflected both his physical tools and his work ethic. By the time he finished his college career, he had earned multiple All-Big Ten honors and was regarded as one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the 2021 draft class, even though he went unsigned on draft day.

    Alaric Jackson Career

    Early Career (2017–2020)

    Jackson’s early college career was marked by steady development. After redshirting his true freshman season in 2017, he started every regular season game at left tackle during his redshirt freshman year. His performance earned him a place on the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team and a freshman All-American selection from the Football Writers Association of America.

    During his sophomore season, Jackson missed the season opener after being suspended for a violation of team rules but returned to start the final 12 games of the year, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. As a redshirt junior, he missed three games due to injury but was still named third-team All-Big Ten at the end of the season. His final collegiate season in 2020 was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he started all eight games and was named first-team All-Big Ten and a second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.

    NFL Breakthrough (2021–2022)

    Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2021. He made the team’s 53-man roster out of training camp, a notable achievement for a player who had not been selected in the draft. He made his NFL debut on October 31, 2021, playing nine snaps on offense in the fourth quarter of a 38–22 win over the Houston Texans.

    That season ended on a high note when Jackson won Super Bowl LVI as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20. The championship made him one of the few former Iowa Hawkeyes to earn a Super Bowl ring so early in his professional career. In 2022, he entered the season as a backup offensive lineman but was named the starting right guard in Week 3. He played four games at right guard before moving to left tackle for two games due to injuries. His season ended on November 16, 2022, when he was diagnosed with blood clots and placed on season-ending injured reserve.

    Los Angeles Rams Era (2023–Present)

    Jackson returned to the field in 2023 and reestablished himself as a dependable presence on the Rams’ offensive line. His play over the following seasons demonstrated the durability and consistency that had marked his college career. In 2024, Jackson was suspended the first two games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

    On February 28, 2025, Jackson and the Rams agreed on a three-year, $57 million contract extension, securing his place with the franchise through the 2028 season. The deal represented a significant commitment from the Rams and reflected Jackson’s importance to their offensive line.

    Playing Style and Strengths

    Jackson is known for his combination of size, length, and mobility, traits that are valued in modern offensive line play. Standing 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 156 kilograms, he has the frame to anchor against power rushers while still showing the foot quickness to handle speed off the edge. His experience at both tackle and guard gives the Rams valuable flexibility along the offensive line.

    Notable Events and Milestones

    Jackson’s most notable early milestone was winning Super Bowl LVI in his first NFL season. He later navigated a serious medical issue when blood clots ended his 2022 campaign. In 2025, he signed a three-year, $57 million contract extension with the Rams, cementing his long-term role with the team.

    Alaric Jackson Career Wins

    Across his professional career, Alaric Jackson has accumulated team success with the Los Angeles Rams, highlighted by a Super Bowl LVI championship. His individual accolades include multiple All-Big Ten selections during his time at Iowa and an AFCA Second-team All-American nod in 2020.

    Super Bowl Highlights

    Jackson is a Super Bowl champion, having been part of the Rams team that defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20 in Super Bowl LVI. The championship came in his rookie season after joining the Rams as an undrafted free agent.

    Other Performances and Honors

    At the college level, Jackson was named first-team All-Big Ten in 2020, second-team All-Big Ten in 2018, and third-team All-Big Ten in 2019. He was also recognized as a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and earned Big Ten All-Freshman team honors. His 2020 season brought him AFCA Second-team All-American recognition.

    Series Wins Top Tens Poles

    Alaric Jackson Family

    Family Background and Lineage

    Alaric Jackson was raised by his father, known as Al Sr. Jackson grew up between Windsor, Ontario, and the West Seven Mile and Schafer areas of Detroit, Michigan, before eventually moving to Detroit permanently. The cross-border upbringing gave him dual Canadian and American citizenship.

    Personal Life

    Jackson is married to Elizabeth James, with whom he has one child. He currently resides in Detroit, Michigan. Jackson came to football late, having originally played basketball at Renaissance High School before switching to the sport during his junior year.

    2025 Season Performance

    Jackson entered the 2025 season firmly entrenched as a starter on the Rams’ offensive line following his three-year, $57 million contract extension signed on February 28, 2025. The deal runs through the 2028 season and reflects his standing as a core piece of the team’s protection unit. Coming off a 2024 season that began with a two-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, Jackson’s play and availability became central storylines for the Rams.

    Throughout the 2025 campaign, Jackson provided stability at offensive tackle, helping to anchor a line tasked with protecting the Rams’ quarterback and opening running lanes. His durability and versatility, having started games at both tackle and guard in previous seasons, gave the coaching staff valuable flexibility. The Rams leaned on his experience as they navigated the ups and downs of an NFL season.

    Looking ahead, Jackson’s long-term contract ensures that he will remain a central figure on the Rams’ offensive line through 2028. His continued development and consistency will be key factors in the team’s pursuit of another deep playoff run and a potential second Super Bowl appearance.