Pro path

Calgary signed Jackson as a free agent on May 13, 2009. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the National Football League’s Oakland Raiders on Apr. 28, 2008 and released on Aug. 14.

2011

In his third season with the Stampeders, Jackson played in 12 regular-season games — making a dozen starts at weak-side linebacker — as well as the West Division semifinal. Jackson tallied 32 tackles, including one tackle for loss, while recovering one fumble for 23 yards. He added one special-teams tackle. Jackson’s best game was a seven-tackle performance Sept. 9 at Edmonton. That contest included his 150th career tackle.

2010

In his second season with the Stampeders, Jackson started all 18 regular-season games at outside linebacker as well as the West final. He posted 61 tackles including a team-high six tackles for loss. Jackson doubled his rookie-season total by recording six sacks and added one interception, four pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, including a fumble return for 41 yards and a touchdown during the July 1 season-opener against Toronto. He also added seven special-teams tackles. During the season, Jackson posted five or more tackles on six separate occasions, including three straight to end the season. Jackson had a pair of two-sack games, on Aug. 7 and Aug. 27, both against BC. He made his first career interception on Oct. 1 against Montreal.

2009

In his first season in the CFL, Jackson played 17 games including the West semifinal and West final. He was the Red and White’s nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award. He started three games at defensive end early in the year and finished the regular season with 10 consecutive starts at outside linebacker. He started both playoff contests at linebacker. Jackson accumulated a team-high 65 tackles and tied for the team lead with five tackles for loss. He added three sacks, two forced fumbles, eight special-teams tackles and a pass knockdown. Jackson recorded the first two sacks of his career on July 17 against Toronto. He posted a season-high nine tackles at Montreal on Oct. 12.

Career highlights

• Made his CFL debut on July 1, 2009, against Montreal
• Played defensive line for his first CFL start against Toronto on July 17, 2009
• Made his first start at linebacker on Sept. 7, 2009, against Edmonton
• Led the Stampeders with 65 tackles in 2009
• In 2010, he led the Stamps in tackles for loss and fumble recoveries
• The Stamps’ nominee for the CFL’s 2009 Most Outstanding Rookie award
• Scored his first CFL touchdown on a 41-yard fumble return on July 1, 2010, against Toronto
• Recorded his first career interception on Oct. 10, 2010, against Montreal
• Recorded his first and second career sacks against Toronto on July 17, 2009

College

Jackson played four years at the University of Louisville and started 21 games at linebacker in his final two seasons with the Cardinals. He finished his college career with 138 tackles, 10 sacks, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception. In 2006, Jackson was second in the Big East, both in sacks (nine) and in tackles for loss (16). He was third on the team in tackles with 57 and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown against West Virginia. He was named to the All-Big East second team.

Notable

Jackson was a defensive back in high school. In his senior season for Dunwoody High School, he logged 93 tackles and four forced fumbles to earn All-Region honours.