Jermaine Jackson Bio
Jermaine Jackson is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist who currently plays for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Born on June 2, 2000, in Oakland, California, Jackson has built his reputation as an explosive return specialist and reliable receiver at both the collegiate and professional levels. His journey through community college, NCAA Division I FCS competition, and both the NFL and CFL showcases his adaptability and determination to succeed at the highest levels of football.
Early Life and Background
Jermaine Jackson grew up in Oakland, California, where he attended San Leandro High School. During his senior year at San Leandro, Jackson demonstrated his dual-threat ability by totaling 751 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, while also contributing 595 receiving yards and six touchdowns through the air. His exceptional performance earned him recognition as a top high school prospect in California.
While in high school, Jackson was selected to represent the United States on the national junior American football team, gaining valuable international experience at a young age. This early exposure to high-level competition helped shape his development as a versatile playmaker who could impact games both as a receiver and return specialist.
Path to Professional Football
After graduating from San Leandro High School, Jackson began his collegiate career at the College of San Mateo in 2018. As a freshman, he recorded 14 receptions for 174 yards, showing glimpses of his potential in the Bulldogs’ offense. The following year, Jackson experienced a breakout season, helping his team capture the conference championship with an impressive 12-1 overall record.
During his sophomore season at San Mateo, Jackson totaled 47 receptions for 622 yards and 11 total touchdowns, accumulating 1,303 all-purpose yards. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as a first-team all-state selection, solidifying his status as a top junior college prospect. His ability to contribute as both a receiver and returner made him an attractive prospect for four-year programs.
Jackson transferred to the University of Idaho in 2020, joining the Vandals program at the NCAA Division I FCS level. However, his transition was immediately hampered by a significant injury, as he suffered torn ACL and MCL injuries in his first game on his second kickoff return attempt. This setback forced him to redshirt during the 2021 season, appearing in only four games and recording eight receptions for 93 yards.
Jermaine Jackson Career
Idaho Vandals (2020–2023)
Jackson’s perseverance paid off during the 2022 season when he emerged as one of the top receivers in the Big Sky Conference. He totaled 54 receptions for 1,049 yards and four touchdowns, while also showcasing his return skills with a punt return touchdown and a kickoff return touchdown. His versatility and production earned him first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors at both wide receiver and punt returner positions, marking him as one of the most dynamic players in the conference.
As a redshirt senior in 2023, Jackson continued to be a reliable target for the Vandals offense, playing all 13 games and finishing with 48 receptions for 593 yards. His return contributions remained significant, as he recorded 18 punt returns for 332 yards and 18 kick returns for 478 yards, scoring two receiving touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns. He earned second-team All-Big Sky recognition at both wide receiver and punt returner, highlighting his consistency across multiple seasons.
Over his four-year tenure at Idaho, Jackson accumulated 107 receptions for 1,687 yards and six touchdowns through the air, while adding 666 kick return yards and 604 punt return yards with four return touchdowns. His all-around production made him a well-rounded prospect for the professional level.
New Orleans Saints (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jackson signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. His contract included $150,000 in guaranteed money, reflecting the team’s interest in his potential as a return specialist and offensive weapon. Jackson began his NFL career with the Saints during training camp, competing for a roster spot among the team’s receiving corps.
The Saints placed Jackson on the waived/injured list on August 3, 2024, ending his initial push for a roster spot. However, the team re-signed him to their practice squad on October 1, keeping him in the organization. His patience paid off when he received his opportunity on the active roster, being signed from the practice squad on October 17 ahead of the team’s Week 7 matchup against the Denver Broncos. He was later waived on November 16 and re-signed to the practice squad to finish the season.
BC Lions (2025–Present)
Jackson signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League on April 18, 2025, continuing his professional football career north of the border. He joined a CFL organization seeking depth at the receiver and return specialist positions. Shortly after joining the team, Jackson was placed on the Lions’ one-game injured list on June 12, 2025, before rejoining the active roster on June 19.
Jackson experienced another setback during the 2025 season when he suffered an injury during a game against the Montreal Alouettes. He was placed on the one-game injured list on July 13, 2025, and spent the remainder of the season working through his recovery. On May 31, 2026, the Lions released Jackson during their final roster cuts before the 2026 season.
Despite his release, Jackson remained in the CFL system. On June 17, 2026, the Lions re-signed him and assigned him to their practice roster. His performance during practice earned him a promotion to the active roster on June 18, 2026, giving him another opportunity to contribute during the 2026 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jackson’s game is built around his explosiveness and versatility as a return specialist and receiver. His experience returning both punts and kickoffs at Idaho demonstrated his ability to make quick decisions and find running lanes in open space. At 5 feet 7 inches and 170 pounds, he possesses the short-area quickness and agility to create separation against larger defensive backs. His college production at Idaho, particularly his 1,049-yard receiving season in 2022, showed he could be a reliable target at the professional level.
Notable Career Moments
Among Jackson’s most significant achievements was his first-team All-Big Sky selection at both receiver and punt returner during the 2022 season, recognizing his dual contributions on offense and special teams. His opportunity to sign with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent and subsequently be promoted to an active roster from a practice squad demonstrated his resilience and ability to catch the attention of professional scouts. His journey through the CFL system with the BC Lions represents his continued pursuit of a stable professional career.
Jermaine Jackson Career Statistics
Jackson compiled impressive statistics during his collegiate career at San Mateo and Idaho before transitioning to professional football with the Saints and Lions.
College Highlights
At the College of San Mateo, Jackson emerged as a playmaker over two seasons, recording 61 total receptions for 796 yards and 11 touchdowns. His sophomore season in 2019 was particularly outstanding, as he helped lead his team to a conference championship with a 12-1 record while accumulating 1,303 all-purpose yards. At Idaho, Jackson totaled 107 receptions for 1,687 yards and six touchdowns over three seasons, while adding 1,270 return yards and four return touchdowns. His 1,049-yard receiving season in 2022 stood out as his most productive collegiate campaign.
Professional Career NFL Statistics
During his time with the New Orleans Saints in 2024, Jackson contributed on special teams with 255 return yards. He appeared in games during the regular season as a member of the active roster and contributed on special teams units. His professional career statistics reflect his role as a return specialist and depth receiver.
Jermaine Jackson Personal Life
Jackson maintains an active presence on social media, where he connects with fans under the handle @d1_maineybo on X and @mainey1_ on Instagram. He continues to pursue his professional football career while representing his roots from Oakland, California. His journey through multiple professional teams demonstrates the resilience required to establish oneself in professional football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Jackson’s transition to the Canadian Football League with the BC Lions. Signed on April 18, 2025, he entered training camp competing for a spot in the Lions’ receiving corps and return game. Early in the season, Jackson demonstrated his abilities in practice and training camp activities, showcasing the speed and quickness that characterized his collegiate career.
Jackson’s first season with the Lions was interrupted by injuries, as he was placed on the one-game injured list twice during the year. His first stint on injured reserve came in mid-June 2025, and he returned to the active roster shortly after. He later suffered an injury during a game against the Montreal Alouettes that required another stint on the one-game injured list in mid-July. The injuries limited his opportunities to contribute during the 2025 regular season, but he remained with the organization throughout the year.
The Lions released Jackson during their final roster cuts in May 2026, but quickly brought him back into the system. His re-signing in June 2026 and subsequent promotion to the active roster demonstrated the team’s continued interest in his potential. Looking ahead, Jackson aims to stay healthy and earn a consistent role in the Lions’ offense and special teams units as the 2026 season progresses.