Jordan Jackson Bio
Jordan Jackson is an American professional football defensive end who currently plays for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 30, 1998, in Jacksonville, Florida, Jackson has steadily built his professional career after an unconventional path through college football at the United States Air Force Academy. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 294 pounds, Jackson brings impressive size and physicality to the defensive line position. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 194th overall pick before eventually finding his footing with the Denver Broncos organization.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Jackson was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where he attended Bolles High School. Located in his hometown, Bolles High School provided Jackson with the foundation for his football career. During his time at Bolles, Jackson developed the skills and work ethic that would later help him compete at the collegiate level. His upbringing in Jacksonville, a city with a rich football tradition in the state of Florida, exposed him to competitive football from an early age.
Path to American Football
Despite his later success, Jackson was not a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school. He was ranked as a two-star recruit by 247Sports.com, which typically indicates limited interest from major college programs. However, Jackson demonstrated the determination and resilience that would characterize his career. He committed to play at the United States Air Force Academy, enrolling before the 2017 season. This decision meant Jackson would balance his football career with the demanding requirements of military service and academy life, a challenge that would shape his discipline and maturity as an athlete.
Jordan Jackson Career
College Career (2017–2021)
Jackson played for the Air Force Falcons from 2017 through 2021, developing into a contributor on the defensive line. His five seasons at the United States Air Force Academy allowed him to refine his technique and understanding of the game at the collegiate level. The transition from high school to the military academy presented unique challenges, including the physical demands of academy training combined with competitive football. Jackson persevered through these challenges, eventually earning recognition for his performance on the field.
His dedication paid off during his senior season in 2021 when Jackson earned Second-team All-Mountain West honors. This accolade represented a significant achievement, validating his development as a college player and demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level against some of the best defensive players in the Group of Five conferences. The recognition highlighted his improvement from a lightly-recruited prospect to a legitimate professional football player.
New Orleans Saints (2022)
Jackson entered the 2022 NFL Draft with the goal of continuing his football career at the highest professional level. His selection by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round with the 194th overall pick represented the culmination of his journey from a two-star recruit to an NFL player. Being drafted, even in the later rounds, demonstrated that his performance at Air Force had caught the attention of professional scouts.
However, his time with the Saints was brief. He was waived on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts, but was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. This experience of being waived and finding a path back through the practice squad is common for late-round draft picks and rookies, often serving as a valuable introduction to the business side of professional football.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
Jackson signed with the Denver Broncos on January 10, 2023, when he was signed to a futures contract. This move gave him a fresh opportunity with a new organization and a chance to prove he belonged on an NFL roster. The Broncos, under their general manager George Paton, saw potential in Jackson that aligned with their defensive plans. This initial signing represented the beginning of a more stable period in Jackson’s professional career.
After being waived during the 2023 preseason, Jackson was re-signed to the Broncos practice squad, demonstrating the organization’s continued interest in his development. He signed another reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024, indicating the Broncos viewed him as part of their long-term plans. The 2024 season proved to be a breakthrough for Jackson when he made the Broncos initial 53-man roster entering that season, a significant achievement that validated his persistence and improvement.
Broncos general manager George Paton publicly noted that he had wanted to draft Jackson back in 2022, which added an interesting dimension to their eventual partnership. This revelation suggested that Jackson had caught the Broncos’ attention long before he joined their organization, and his eventual arrival fulfilled a scouting assessment made years earlier. In March 2024, the Broncos assigned Jackson’s exclusive-rights free agent tender, securing his services for the 2025 season and demonstrating their continued confidence in his abilities.
Defensive End Skills and Strengths
Jackson’s physical profile makes him well-suited for the defensive end position in the NFL. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 294 pounds, he possesses the size and length that NFL coaches value in edge rushers. His background at Air Force, where discipline and mental toughness are emphasized, likely contributes to his football intelligence and preparation. The physicality required in Air Force’s program has prepared him for the demanding nature of professional football.
Notable Events and Milestones
Making the Broncos 53-man roster for the 2024 season stands as Jackson’s most significant professional milestone to date. This achievement transformed him from a practice squad player to a regular member of an NFL roster. The recognition from general manager Paton regarding his 2022 draft evaluation provided additional validation of Jackson’s abilities and potential. His progression from a sixth-round pick who was waived by his original team to a roster player with another franchise represents the kind of career trajectory that characterizes successful NFL players.
Jordan Jackson Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Jackson has accumulated meaningful statistical contributions during his professional career. His career totals reflect his role as a rotational and developmental defensive player rather than a starter, which is typical for players at his career stage.
NFL Career Highlights
As of Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, Jackson has recorded 22 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble across his time with the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos. The sack statistic represents a key metric for defensive ends, measuring their ability to pressure and bring down opposing quarterbacks. His forced fumble demonstrates his capacity to create game-changing plays that shift momentum in favor of his team.
Statistical Progression
Jackson’s statistical output reflects his development from a practice squad player into a contributor on an NFL roster. The 2024 and 2025 seasons likely represent his most significant accumulation of playing time and production, as making the 53-man roster provided him opportunities to appear in games throughout the season. His continued presence on the Broncos roster through the exclusive-rights free agent tender system indicates the coaching staff values his contributions to the defensive line rotation.
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 22 |
| Sacks | 1 |
| Forced Fumbles | 1 |
Jordan Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Jordan Jackson’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any family connections to professional football, is not readily available in verified sources. Like many professional athletes, Jackson maintains a level of privacy regarding his family life, choosing to keep personal details separate from his public football career.
Personal Life
Jackson maintains an active presence on social media, where he connects with fans under the handle @jordan_jackkkk94 on Instagram. This public-facing presence allows fans to follow aspects of his professional journey and personal interests. Details regarding Jackson’s marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly confirmed, and he has chosen not to make extensive personal details a prominent part of his public profile.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represented an important chapter in Jordan Jackson’s professional career. Returning to the Broncos on an exclusive-rights free agent tender, Jackson entered the season as a established member of the defensive line rotation. The ERFA tender, assigned in March 2024, ensured he would remain with the organization through the 2025 campaign, providing both player and team with continuity and stability.
Playing under the Broncos coaching staff, Jackson continued to develop his craft within their defensive system. The 2025 season offered him the opportunity to build upon his 2024 breakthrough season when he first earned a spot on the 53-man roster. His performance throughout the season contributed to the Broncos defensive efforts, with his 22 career tackles and 1 sack providing evidence of his ongoing development as a professional player.
The outlook for Jackson beyond 2025 remains tied to his continued performance and the Broncos organizational decisions. His path from a waived sixth-round pick to a roster player demonstrates his resilience and ability to overcome early career setbacks. If Jackson continues to develop and contribute, he has the potential to establish himself as a reliable NFL player. The Broncos decision to retain him through the ERFA tender suggests the coaching staff believes in his long-term value to the team, providing Jackson with a solid foundation to continue his professional football career.