Austin Jackson Bio
Austin Jackson, born on August 11, 1999, is an American professional football offensive tackle who plays in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft and has developed into a steady presence on Miami’s offensive line. Standing roughly 196 centimeters tall and listed around 141 kilograms, Jackson brings the size and length that offensive line coaches covet at the professional level.
Before turning professional, Jackson built his reputation as one of the top high school recruits in the country and as a three-year starter at the University of Southern California. His combination of athletic background and technical development helped him transition quickly from college prospect to NFL starter, and he remains part of the Dolphins’ core offensive group.
Early Life and Background
Austin Jackson was born in Sacramento, California, and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended North Canyon High School in Phoenix, where he played both defensive and offensive line for the school’s football team. He was also a member of the basketball and track and field programs, an athletic background that helped build the foot speed and body control he later applied to offensive line play.
As a senior at North Canyon, Jackson was rated a five-star recruit and was regarded as the best collegiate prospect in the state of Arizona. His combination of size, movement skills, and competitive toughness drew attention from several Pac-12 programs. He eventually committed to play college football at the University of Southern California over offers from Washington and Arizona State, signaling his choice of a program with a deep tradition of developing NFL offensive linemen.
Path to American Football
Jackson’s path to the NFL began with his commitment to the USC Trojans, where he enrolled with the expectation of competing for early playing time. He appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman, working as a reserve offensive lineman while also contributing on special teams, including on the field goal unit where he blocked a kick against Colorado.
Heading into his sophomore year, Jackson was named USC’s starting left tackle and started all 12 games for the Trojans. His third season was shaped by a personal decision off the field when he donated bone marrow to his younger sister, Autumn, who was diagnosed with a rare form of anemia, causing him to miss part of summer practice. He worked his way back into shape in time to begin the season as the starting left tackle and went on to earn Pac-12 Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for his Week 2 performance against Stanford, which included blocking a 43-yard field goal attempt.
Austin Jackson Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Austin Jackson entered the NFL as the 18th overall pick of the 2020 draft after the Dolphins acquired the selection from Pittsburgh. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, starting at left tackle against the New England Patriots and playing every offensive snap in the season opener. His rookie season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on October 9 after suffering a foot injury in a Week 4 game against the Seattle Seahawks, and he was activated on November 7.
Over his first two seasons, Jackson gained valuable experience at left tackle while adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL pass rushers. He continued to refine his technique and conditioning, building the foundation for a longer-term role on Miami’s offensive line.
Dolphins Right Tackle Era (2022–2023)
Jackson entered the 2022 season as the Dolphins’ starting right tackle, shifting across the offensive line from the position he played as a rookie. His season was interrupted by an ankle injury suffered in Week 1, which led to a stint on short-term injured reserve beginning September 16, 2022. The Dolphins activated him on November 1, and he returned to action before being placed back on injured reserve on December 5.
Jackson returned healthy in 2023 and started every game at right tackle, protecting the blindside of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. After his steady performance that season, he signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension with $20.7 million guaranteed. The deal reflected the Dolphins’ confidence in him as a long-term piece of their offensive line.
Injury Years and Comeback (2024–2025)
Jackson started eight games for the Dolphins in 2024 and recorded one fumble recovery during the season. On November 12, 2024, the team announced that he would miss the remainder of the year after undergoing knee surgery. The recovery sidelined him through the back stretch of Miami’s campaign.
Jackson began the 2025 season as Miami’s starting right tackle but suffered a toe injury in the opener against the Indianapolis Colts that led to a placement on injured reserve on September 13, 2025. He was activated on November 29 ahead of the team’s Week 13 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, returning to a starting role on the right side.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jackson’s profile is built on length, athleticism, and versatility, traits sharpened by his time at left tackle and right tackle in Miami. He is comfortable working in pass protection on the edge and shows the mobility to handle zone-blocking schemes and reach blocks on the move. His continued development in technique and communication with the coaching staff has been central to his role protecting the Dolphins’ quarterbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Jackson’s career came in the 2019 season, when he blocked a 43-yard field goal attempt against Stanford and earned Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. He was later named first-team All-Pac-12 at the end of that junior year before declaring for the 2020 NFL draft, where he was selected in the first round by the Dolphins.
Austin Jackson Career Wins
Austin Jackson’s career milestones reflect steady development rather than headline-winning totals. His primary team accomplishment has been securing long-term roles at both tackle spots for the Miami Dolphins, capped by his 2023 contract extension. Personal recognition has come through his first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2019 and his Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week honor.
NFL Highlights
Jackson’s most notable NFL highlights include his first-round selection by the Dolphins in the 2020 draft, his debut start against the New England Patriots, and his full 2023 season at right tackle that led to a three-year extension. In 2024, he added a fumble recovery to his stat line before knee surgery ended his season.
Other Performances
At USC, Jackson played in all 39 of the Trojans’ games during his collegiate career with 25 starts. His willingness to play through adversity, including his off-field commitment to his sister’s health, marked him as a respected figure in the USC locker room before he turned professional.
Austin Jackson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Austin Jackson comes from a family with deep football ties. His grandfather, Melvin Jackson, played offensive line at USC and went on to play in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, establishing a clear football lineage that has shaped Austin’s understanding of the game.
Personal Life
Jackson is currently in a relationship with McKayla Rain, with whom he shares a son born in 2023. During the summer of 2019, he donated bone marrow to his younger sister Autumn, who was diagnosed with Diamond–Blackfan anemia, an experience that underscored the close family bonds he has spoken about publicly.
2025 Season Performance
Jackson entered the 2025 season as Miami’s starting right tackle and the anchor of a line protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. His season opener against the Indianapolis Colts ended quickly when a toe injury forced him onto injured reserve on September 13, 2025, keeping him out of the lineup for several weeks.
He returned to action on November 29, 2025, ahead of the Dolphins’ Week 13 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, rejoining the starting lineup on the right side. His return provided a boost to Miami’s offensive line depth during the back half of the schedule.
Looking ahead, Jackson remains a key piece of the Dolphins’ offensive line under the terms of his contract, which runs through 2026. His performance in the closing weeks of 2025 will shape the Dolphins’ outlook and his own standing heading into the next phase of his career.