Matthew Jackson Bio
Matthew Alexander Jackson (born November 9, 1998) is an American professional football safety who plays in the National Football League (NFL). After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, he signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent and made the team’s final roster as a rookie. He currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he continues to develop as a defensive contributor at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Alexander Jackson was born on November 9, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in the United States with a strong athletic foundation. He attended Hillsboro High School, where he competed in both football and track and field, showcasing versatility across multiple disciplines. As a junior in 2015, he recorded 39 total tackles, one interception, and two defensive touchdowns, establishing himself as a promising defensive prospect.
During his senior season, Jackson was named team captain and led his squad with 64 tackles while adding two interceptions, one of which he returned for a 100-yard touchdown. At the same time, he won the city long jump championship in track and field and competed at the state tournament, demonstrating rare athletic range. Following his high school career, he committed to play college football for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels over several other FCS scholarship offers.
Path to American Football
Jackson’s path to professional football began in earnest at Eastern Kentucky University, where he joined the Colonels program in 2017. He redshirted his true freshman year before gradually working his way into defensive rotation over the following seasons. His development as a linebacker and safety prospect gained momentum as he earned more responsibility within the Colonels’ defensive scheme.
By his senior seasons, Jackson had emerged as one of the top defensive players in his conference, collecting postseason honors and national recognition for his production. His combination of tackling volume, coverage skills, and playmaking ability positioned him as an NFL-caliber prospect despite playing at the FCS level. He ultimately declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career.
Matthew Jackson Career
College Career (2017–2022)
Matthew Alexander Jackson played college football for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels from 2017 to 2022, developing into one of the program’s most productive defensive players. As a true freshman in 2017, he redshirted and preserved a year of eligibility. Over the next two seasons, he saw limited action, recording 11 tackles in 11 games in 2018 and 15 tackles in 10 games in 2019 while appearing primarily on special teams.
Jackson broke out in 2020, starting at linebacker and recording a team-leading 79 tackles along with eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in nine games, three of which came against FBS opponents. The following season, he posted 102 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 11 games. He earned all-conference honors, was a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award as the top FCS defensive player, and won Phil Steele’s ASUN Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award. In his final college season in 2022, he led Eastern Kentucky with 87 tackles and added 7.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks, earning all-conference recognition and third-team All-American honors from Stats Perform.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023–2024)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Matthew Alexander Jackson signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent and went on to make the team’s final roster. He was one of five undrafted rookies to survive final cuts and earn an active roster spot, a notable achievement for a player from the FCS ranks. His resilience and special teams value helped him secure a role during his rookie campaign.
Jackson was waived by the Titans on November 18, 2023, but was re-signed to the practice squad three days later. He was promoted back to the active roster on January 6, 2024, and continued his development within the organization. On August 27, 2024, he was waived by Tennessee, closing out his initial NFL chapter with the club.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2024–Present)
Matthew Alexander Jackson was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad on August 29, 2024, two days after his release from the Titans. The move gave him an opportunity to continue his professional development within another NFL defensive system. He has since worked to carve out a role with the Jaguars as he progresses into his second and third professional seasons.
With the Jaguars, Jackson has continued to refine his skills as a safety, drawing on the tackling and coverage foundation he built at Eastern Kentucky. His transition from FCS standout to NFL practice squad contributor reflects the perseverance required to sustain a professional football career. He remains under contract with Jacksonville as he looks to expand his role on the active roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 185 pounds, Matthew Alexander Jackson relies on instincts, tackling reliability, and football IQ rather than raw size, traits that defined his college production. He excels in run support and open-field tackling, evidenced by his 268 total tackles across his final three college seasons. His coverage skills, including eight pass breakups and two interceptions in 2021, demonstrate versatility against the pass, while his special teams background adds roster value at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Jackson’s career came during his senior high school season, when he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown while serving as team captain. In college, his 2021 season stood out as a milestone year, featuring 102 tackles, all-conference honors, and the Phil Steele ASUN Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award. As a professional, making the Tennessee Titans’ final roster as an undrafted free agent in 2023 marked a defining early-career achievement.
Matthew Jackson Career Wins
Matthew Alexander Jackson’s career highlights include individual awards and postseason recognition rather than traditional on-field win totals, given his position as a defensive back. His most notable honors came during his time at Eastern Kentucky, where he earned all-conference recognition in 2021 and 2022. These achievements underscore his consistent production and leadership within the Colonels defensive secondary.
College Highlights
Jackson’s college resume features 268 tackles across his final three seasons at Eastern Kentucky, including 79 tackles in 2020, 102 tackles in 2021, and 87 tackles in 2022. He earned Phil Steele’s ASUN Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2021 and was named third-team All-American by Stats Perform in 2022. His candidacy for the Buck Buchanan Award in 2021 further highlighted his standing among the nation’s top FCS defenders.
Other Performances
In addition to his football accomplishments, Jackson won the city long jump championship during his senior year at Hillsboro High School and competed at the state tournament, reflecting his multi-sport athletic background. He also recorded two interceptions and two forced fumbles during his 2021 college season, showcasing his ability to create turnovers. His professional career with the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars has been marked by perseverance through practice squad promotions and active roster opportunities.
Matthew Jackson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Matthew Alexander Jackson was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, though detailed information about his parents and immediate family has not been publicly confirmed. He attended Hillsboro High School, where his athletic development laid the foundation for his future football career. Beyond his upbringing, limited verified information is available about his broader family background.
Personal Life
Matthew Alexander Jackson, also known as Matthew Jackson, has kept his personal life largely private, with no publicly confirmed details about a spouse or children. Standing 185 pounds and standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, he has maintained a focused professional mindset since entering the NFL in 2023. His social media presence under the handle @mattajack12 offers occasional glimpses into his training and team activities.
2025 Season Performance
Matthew Alexander Jackson entered the 2025 season continuing his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars after joining the team’s practice squad in late August 2024. His primary objective was to translate his practice squad experience into a stable role on the Jaguars’ active defensive rotation. With Jacksonville undergoing defensive transitions, his special teams reliability and linebacker-to-safety versatility positioned him as a developmental contributor.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Jackson focused on consistency in coverage assignments and tackling efficiency, areas that defined his Eastern Kentucky production. His familiarity with multiple defensive roles allowed the Jaguars’ coaching staff to deploy him in situational packages, particularly on special teams. As the season progressed, his opportunity to see defensive snaps depended on health and performance trends within Jacksonville’s defensive backfield.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s long-term outlook with the Jaguars centers on expanding his defensive snap count and solidifying a roster spot beyond his practice squad role. His undrafted pedigree and perseverance through roster moves reflect a player determined to build a sustained NFL career. Continued growth in coverage technique and special teams excellence will be central to his trajectory beyond the 2025 season.