D’Marco Jackson Bio
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson (born July 20, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers before being selected in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. After three seasons in New Orleans, Jackson joined the Chicago Bears in 2025, where he has emerged as a defensive contributor on special teams and at middle linebacker.
Early Life and Background
D’Marco Carnelius Jackson was born on July 20, 1998, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He grew up in Spartanburg and attended Broome High School, where he developed into a versatile defensive prospect. As a senior, Jackson was a finalist for South Carolina’s Mr. Football award, reflecting his status among the top high school players in the state.
During his senior season at Broome, Jackson recorded 78 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and one sack. Recruiting outlets regarded him as a two-star recruit and ranked him as the 61st best player in South Carolina. Despite the modest recruiting rating, Jackson drew college interest from multiple programs and ultimately chose to continue his career at Appalachian State University over scholarship offers from Charlotte and Georgia Southern.
Path to American Football
Jackson’s path to professional football began with his commitment to Appalachian State, where he initially redshirted his first year on campus. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 13 games and recorded 25 tackles with two tackles for loss, showing enough potential to earn a larger role the following season. He continued to progress steadily, building the tackling and coverage skills that would define his pro profile.
After earning second-team All-Sun Belt recognition in his junior season, Jackson entered his senior year as one of the conference’s most productive linebackers. His development at Appalachian State, including playing for a Mountaineers program with a strong winning tradition, prepared him for the NFL combine and draft process that followed.
D’Marco Jackson Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Jackson’s college career at Appalachian State spanned five seasons. After redshirting in 2017, he appeared in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2018, recording 25 tackles and two tackles for loss. The following season, he produced 60 tackles and three sacks, establishing himself as a dependable presence in the Mountaineers’ defensive front seven.
In his junior year, Jackson tallied 87 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions, with both interceptions coming in a 45–17 victory over Arkansas State. His performance earned him second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. As a senior, Jackson played in all 14 games and posted career highs of 119 tackles and six sacks, along with a forced fumble, leading to first-team All-Sun Belt selection and the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year award. Across his time at Appalachian State, he appeared in 53 games while the program compiled a 43–10 record.
New Orleans Saints Era (2022–2024)
Jackson was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round, 161st overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. Shortly after the draft, on August 9, 2022, he was placed on injured reserve, delaying his on-field debut. He spent time working through the Saints’ linebacker depth chart while contributing on special teams during his first three professional seasons.
On August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, Jackson was waived by the New Orleans Saints. The move ended his tenure with the organization that had drafted him and opened the door for a fresh opportunity elsewhere in the league.
Chicago Bears Era (2025–Present)
On August 27, 2025, Jackson was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears, giving him a new home just one day after being released by New Orleans. Although he was primarily a special teams player for the Bears during the early portion of the 2025 season, injuries in the linebacker group pushed him into a larger defensive role.
Jackson became the Bears’ starting middle linebacker for their Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, serving as the defense’s play caller. He led Chicago with 15 tackles in a 31–28 victory. In Week 15, he recorded his first career sack and first career interception, picking off Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. For that performance, Jackson was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week, becoming the first Bears linebacker to receive the honor since Danny Trevathan in 2018.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jackson brings an aggressive, downhill tackling style that translates well between run defense and special teams. His ability to read plays quickly and serve as a defensive signal caller has made him a trusted communicator on the field for the Bears. His coverage awareness, refined during his time at Appalachian State, allows him to contribute against both the run and the pass.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s Week 15 performance against Cleveland, featuring his first career sack and interception, marked a defining milestone in his young NFL career. The NFC Defensive Player of the Week award underscored how quickly he had become a disruptive force for the Bears after joining the team midseason.
D’Marco Jackson Career Wins
Jackson’s win résumé to this point is built around college accolades and emerging NFL production rather than a long list of professional victories. His biggest team result as a professional came in Week 12 of the 2025 season, when he helped the Chicago Bears defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–28.
College Highlights
At Appalachian State, Jackson played on a Mountaineers squad that posted a 43–10 record across his 53 appearances. His senior-season totals of 119 tackles and six sacks anchored one of the conference’s top defenses and helped him earn Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Other Wins & Performances
Jackson’s standout post-college performance to date was his 15-tackle, game-sealing effort against Pittsburgh, along with his first career sack and interception against Cleveland in the same 2025 season. These showings positioned him as a rising contributor for the Bears defense.
D’Marco Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jackson is the cousin of former NFL running back Maurice Morris, giving him a direct family connection to the professional game. That football lineage helped shape his understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Personal Life
Jackson’s personal life is rooted in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he grew up and developed as an athlete. Details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Jackson’s 2025 season began in New Orleans, where he was waived during final roster cuts on August 26. The very next day, the Chicago Bears claimed him off waivers, and he quickly worked his way into a meaningful special teams role.
His role grew when injuries elevated him into the starting middle linebacker spot in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He responded with a team-leading 15 tackles in a 31–28 win, then added a sack and an interception against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. The midseason surge has positioned him as a defensive play caller the Bears can lean on.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s 2025 trajectory suggests an expanding defensive role in Chicago. With his special teams value and emerging production at linebacker, he has become a notable depth piece and potential long-term starter for the franchise.