Drake Jackson Bio
Drake Jackson (born April 12, 2001) is an American professional football defensive end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 248 pounds, he plays on the defensive line and is widely regarded as a developing pass rusher with significant upside. Jackson first gained national attention as a standout at the University of Southern California before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. He now continues his professional career in Washington after a setback-plagued stretch in San Francisco.
Early Life and Background
Drake Jackson was born on April 12, 2001, in Corona, California, and grew up in the same city. He attended Centennial High School, where he developed into one of the top defensive prospects in the region. As a senior, he earned The Press-Enterprise Defensive Player of the Year award after posting 50 tackles and eight sacks, a dominant statistical line that highlighted his ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
Coming out of high school, Jackson was a highly recruited defensive end and ultimately committed to the University of Southern California to play college football. His combination of size, length, and athleticism made him an attractive prospect for the Trojans, who were looking to add a high-ceiling edge rusher to their defensive front.
Path to the NFL
Jackson arrived at USC in 2019 and immediately made an impact as a true freshman, recording 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks across 11 games. He showed rare productivity for a first-year player, and his performance established him as a foundational piece of the Trojans defense.
Across his three college seasons, he was recognized as a second-team All-Pac-12 honoree, reflecting his consistent production and importance to the USC defensive line. His combination of college production, measurables, and pass-rushing traits led to strong draft buzz, and he declared for the 2022 NFL draft following the 2021 season.
Drake Jackson Career
Early Career (2022)
The San Francisco 49ers selected Jackson in the second round with the 61st overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, signaling their confidence in his long-term potential. He made an early contribution as a rotational defensive end, contributing on passing downs and special teams.
His first career highlight came in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos, when he recorded his first NFL sack. The play gave him a tangible first milestone and served as a foundation for his development within the 49ers’ defensive scheme.
NFL Breakthrough (2023)
Jackson’s 2023 season began with the most productive game of his young career. In the 49ers’ 30-7 Week 1 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he recorded three sacks, a breakout performance that announced his emergence as a legitimate pass-rushing threat. The multi-sack outing was a defining moment and showed the kind of impact he could deliver when healthy and used in a defined role.
Unfortunately, his progress was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on November 11, 2023, due to a knee injury. The patellar tendon issue ultimately required surgery, putting a halt to his upward trajectory and foreshadowing a longer recovery that would extend into the following season.
San Francisco 49ers (2024-2025)
Jackson was placed on the reserve/PUP list on August 8, 2024, after undergoing patellar tendon surgery related to the prior-season injury. He missed the entire 2024 campaign, remaining on the physically unable to perform list as he continued his rehabilitation.
On May 9, 2025, the 49ers waived Jackson, ending his tenure in San Francisco. The move came after three seasons with the organization, during which he had flashed both promise and durability concerns.
Washington Commanders Era (2025-Present)
On October 15, 2025, Jackson signed with the Washington Commanders, opening a new chapter in his career. The following day, the team placed him on injured reserve as a planned move that allowed him to continue recovering from the patellar tendon surgery he underwent following the 2023 season. The signing reflected Washington’s belief in his long-term upside despite his recent injury history.
On December 4, 2025, the Commanders activated Jackson, bringing him back to the active roster. The move provided him with a fresh opportunity to contribute to a competitive defensive line and offered the organization a late-season look at a young pass rusher with starting-caliber traits.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s first NFL sack, recorded in Week 3 of the 2022 season against the Denver Broncos, marked the beginning of his professional production. His three-sack performance in the 2023 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers stands as his signature game to date. He is also a former second-team All-Pac-12 selection from 2019, 2020, and 2021, and a second-round draft pick, a recognition of his status as one of the more highly touted edge rushers of his draft class.
Drake Jackson Career Wins
While Jackson is a defensive player whose statistical achievements are measured in sacks, tackles, and team success, he has produced several notable individual milestones across his professional tenure. His biggest win came in the form of a standout three-sack performance in the 2023 season opener, a defining individual achievement in his young career.
NFL Career Highlights
Jackson’s most prominent professional highlight remains his three-sack game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the 2023 season, contributing to a 30-7 victory. Earlier, in 2022, he recorded his first career sack against the Denver Broncos, an important developmental step in his rookie year. Following his move to the Washington Commanders in October 2025, he was activated on December 4, 2025, marking the start of a new phase of his career.
Other Wins & Performances
Jackson’s most notable pre-professional honor was his recognition as The Press-Enterprise Defensive Player of the Year as a senior at Centennial High School, an award that underscored his dominance at the prep level. He followed that with a strong freshman season at USC, where he recorded 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks, and earned second-team All-Pac-12 recognition across his three college seasons.
Drake Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Drake Jackson’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Corona, California, and attended Centennial High School, where his development as a defensive end began in earnest.
Personal Life
Details about Drake Jackson’s personal life, including marital status, are not widely confirmed. He is known primarily through his professional football career, and his social media presence is active under the Instagram handle @thefreak.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Drake Jackson. After missing the entire 2024 campaign while recovering from patellar tendon surgery, he was waived by the San Francisco 49ers on May 9, 2025, ending a three-year stretch with the franchise that drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.
On October 15, 2025, Jackson signed with the Washington Commanders and was placed on injured reserve the following day, with the move framed as a planned continuation of his recovery. The arrangement allowed him to acclimate to the organization while preserving his rehabilitation timeline, and on December 4, 2025, the Commanders activated him, signaling that he was ready to return to game action.
For the remainder of 2025, Jackson’s focus will be on proving his health and re-establishing himself as a rotational pass rusher. With a fresh start in Washington, he has an opportunity to build momentum heading into the offseason and reclaim the form that produced his three-sack breakout against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.