Dontavian Lucky Jackson Bio
Dontavian Lucky Jackson is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 17, 1997, in Lexington, Kentucky, Jackson played college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers from 2015 to 2019. After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, he signed with The Spring League and has since built a professional career spanning multiple leagues including the Canadian Football League, the XFL, and the NFL. Jackson earned All-XFL honors in 2023 while playing for the DC Defenders and has continued his NFL journey with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Detroit Lions.
Early Life and Background
Jackson grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, where he attended Lafayette High School. His football journey began during his high school years in the Bluegrass State. He was ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com coming out of high school. Despite modest recruiting attention, Jackson demonstrated enough potential to earn an opportunity at the collegiate level. He chose to continue his football career close to home by committing to play for Western Kentucky University.
Path to Professional Football
Jackson redshirted his freshman season at Western Kentucky in 2015, using that year to adapt to the college-level pace and intensity of the game. He began to establish himself as a reliable target beginning in 2016, when he recorded 26 catches for 395 yards and two touchdowns. His sophomore campaign in 2017 saw him increase his production to 39 receptions for 600 yards and three touchdowns. During a November 2017 matchup against Middle Tennessee State, Jackson recorded a 93-yard touchdown reception, which became both the longest play in Western Kentucky history and one of only eight 90-plus yard pass plays in FBS history at that time.
Dontavian Lucky Jackson Career
College Career at Western Kentucky (2015–2019)
Jackson continued to develop as a key component of the Western Kentucky offense. As a redshirt junior in 2018, he started 11 games and led the Hilltoppers with 50 catches for 552 yards and four touchdowns. His senior season in 2019 proved to be his most productive collegiate year. He led the team with 94 receptions for 1,133 yards and four touchdowns. Those 94 receptions ranked eighth in FBS during the 2019 season and second in Western Kentucky program history for a single season.
Jackson saved his best performance for last, earning MVP honors in the 2019 First Responder Bowl against Western Michigan. In that championship game, he hauled in 17 passes, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. His collegiate career concluded with a strong reputation as a reliable receiver with big-play ability and consistent hands.
The Spring League and CFL Journey (2021–2022)
After completing his college career, Jackson entered the 2020 NFL Draft but went undrafted. He impressed at his pro day, which helped him secure an opportunity with The Spring League. Jackson played for the Blues of The Spring League in 2021, using that platform to showcase his skills against other undrafted players and free agents. His performance in The Spring League led to his first professional contract opportunity in the Canadian Football League.
On April 13, 2022, Jackson signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. He was released during training camp on June 5, 2022, but quickly found another opportunity. On September 13, 2022, he was signed to the practice roster of the Edmonton Elks. Jackson was promoted to the active roster on October 7, 2022, and started one game for the Elks. Though he was targeted three times, he did not record a catch. He was moved back to the practice roster on October 14 and released on October 21, 2022.
DC Defenders Breakthrough (2023)
The 2023 season marked a turning point in Jackson’s professional career. On November 16, 2022, Jackson was selected by the DC Defenders in the 11th round (81st overall) of the XFL Skill Players draft. He reported to training camp with renewed confidence and immediately made an impact. During the 2023 XFL season, Jackson played in all 10 regular season games and established himself as one of the league’s top receivers. He recorded over 36 catches for 573 receiving yards and five touchdowns, forming a productive connection with quarterback Jordan Ta’amu.
His consistent performance throughout the season earned him recognition as a first-team All-XFL selection for 2023, joining teammates Jordan Ta’amu, Abram Smith, Liam Fornadel, Davin Bellamy, Michael Joseph, and Daniel Whelan on the All-XFL Team. This honor validated his development as a professional player and opened doors to NFL opportunities.
Minnesota Vikings Tenure (2023–2025)
Jackson’s strong XFL performance attracted attention from NFL teams. On May 23, 2023, he signed his first NFL contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He was released during final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, but was re-signed to the practice squad on September 12. Jackson was elevated to the active roster for Weeks 16 and 17, appearing in two games before reverting to the practice squad after each elevation.
On January 6, 2024, Jackson was signed to Minnesota’s active roster for the final regular season game. He made three total appearances during the 2023 season, seeing action on three offensive snaps and 32 special teams snaps. Throughout the 2024 season, Jackson continued to work within the Vikings organization. He signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 16, 2025, indicating the team’s continued interest in his development. On August 26, 2025, Jackson was waived by the Vikings as part of final roster cuts and was signed to the practice squad the following day. He was released from the practice squad on September 23, 2025.
Detroit Lions (2026–Present)
Following his departure from Minnesota, Jackson continued his professional journey. On February 18, 2026, he signed with the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL). This opportunity allowed him to continue playing at a professional level while pursuing another NFL chance. On June 16, 2026, Jackson signed with the Detroit Lions, joining the NFL ranks once again. As of the current date, he serves as a wide receiver for the Lions, contributing to the team’s receiving corps and special teams units.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jackson has established himself as a reliable possession receiver with the ability to make contested catches. His 93-yard touchdown reception at Western Kentucky demonstrated his deep-ball speed and ability to stretch the field. Throughout his professional career, he has shown reliable hands and the capacity to create yards after the catch. His experience across multiple leagues (CFL, XFL, NFL) has helped him develop versatility in different offensive schemes. Jackson’s special teams contributions have been a consistent part of his value to NFL rosters, seeing regular snaps on kick coverage and return units.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s career has been marked by several significant achievements. His MVP performance in the 2019 First Responder Bowl, where he caught 17 passes in a single game, showcased his ability to be a primary target. Being named to the All-XFL Team in 2023 represented his breakthrough as a professional player, validating his path through The Spring League and CFL. His first NFL contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 was a major milestone, and his continued presence in the league with the Detroit Lions demonstrates his persistence and ability to overcome the challenges of being an undrafted player.
Dontavian Lucky Jackson Career Wins and Honors
Jackson has accumulated notable honors throughout his football career at both the collegiate and professional levels. His achievements reflect his consistent performance and ability to step up in important moments.
College Honors
During his senior season at Western Kentucky in 2019, Jackson earned First Responder Bowl MVP honors after his record-setting 17-catch performance. He was also named First-team All-Conference USA for his 94 receptions and 1,133 receiving yards that season. His single-season receptions total ranked eighth in FBS and second in Western Kentucky program history.
Professional Honors
In 2023, Jackson earned All-XFL Team honors following his standout season with the DC Defenders. He recorded 36 catches for 573 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season. While in the UFL with the Louisville Kings in 2026, Jackson was part of a team that achieved championship success, capturing the UFL championship title.
Dontavian Lucky Jackson Family
Personal Life
Jackson was born on July 17, 1997, in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. He maintains an active presence on social media, with profiles on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. His social media handles reflect his confident personality and his focus on his football career. Jackson’s journey from an undrafted free agent to a player who has competed across multiple professional leagues demonstrates his dedication to the sport and his resilience in pursuing an NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging year for Jackson as he continued his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings organization. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, before being re-signed to the practice squad the following day. This pattern of roster movement highlighted the competitive nature of maintaining an NFL roster spot as an undrafted player. Jackson was later released from the practice squad on September 23, 2025, concluding his Vikings chapter.
Despite the roster instability, Jackson’s ability to remain in the NFL ecosystem for multiple seasons demonstrated his value as a practice squad player and depth receiver. His special teams experience provided him with a path to earning active roster elevations when needed. Following his release from Minnesota’s practice squad, Jackson quickly found new opportunities, signing with the Louisville Kings of the UFL in February 2026 and subsequently joining the Detroit Lions in June 2026.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s trajectory shows a player who has learned to navigate the realities of being an undrafted player in the NFL. His continued opportunities with professional teams indicate that coaches and scouts see value in his skill set. His journey exemplifies the perseverance required for players who do not receive the security of a drafted contract and must prove themselves through every opportunity they receive.