J. C. Jackson


Jerald Christopher "J. C." Jackson is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins. Following the 2017 NCAA football season, Jackson declared for the 2018 NFL Draft and participated in the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine.

Early years

Jackson attended and played high school football at Immokalee High School.

College career

Florida

Jackson originally signed with Florida, but injured his shoulder in the opening game, and didn't play the rest of the season. He was able to use this as a redshirt year. Following his acquittal for armed robbery, he did not return to Florida.

Riverside CC

Following his acquittal, Jackson left Florida and transferred to Riverside City College.

Maryland

While Jackson was attending Riverside, Jackson was coveted by college teams including South Florida and South Carolina. He eventually started practicing with Maryland in April, and later transferred there for the 2016 season. After the 2017 season, Jackson announced that he would forgo his senior season and declared for the 2018 NFL Draft.

Professional career

New England Patriots

2018

On May 11, 2018, the New England Patriots signed Jackson to a three-year, $1.72 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $10.000.
After a stellar training camp and preseason performance, Jackson was named to the Patriots' Week 1 53-man roster. In a Week 4 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Jackson recorded the first interception of his career on a throw from Ryan Tannehill. He recorded his second during a Week 7 road win over the Chicago Bears. He recorded his first career start during a Week 13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, playing in 54 of the team's 61 defensive snaps. Jackson finished the 2018 season with 24 tackles, 6 passes defended, and 3 interceptions. Jackson helped the Patriots reach Super Bowl LIII, in which they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3. In practices, Jackson moonlighted as a receiver on the scout team.

2019

Jackson made the Patriots' 53-man roster for the second year in a row, while the two cornerbacks they drafted in 2018 were both traded in the preseason.
In week 4 against the Buffalo Bills, Jackson intercepted quarterback Josh Allen twice and blocked a punt which was recovered by teammate Matthew Slater for a touchdown in the 16–10 win.
In week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Jackson recorded his third interception of the season off a pass thrown by Patrick Mahomes during the 23–16 loss. In the Patriots' 34–13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackson intercepted quarterback Andy Dalton twice. All of Jackson's career interceptions to date have come on attempts that traveled at least 15 yards downfield.

Personal life

On April 18, 2015, Jackson was arrested in connection with an armed robbery. He was later formally charged with 3 counts of home invasion with a deadly weapon and 1 count of burglary of an occupied dwelling. On November 14, 2015, Jackson was found not guilty of all charges.
County commissioners in Jackson's home county of Collier County, Florida, declared April 9, 2019 “J.C Jackson Day” in his honor.