Jerald Christopher Jackson was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots after the 2018 NFL Draft.
The latest in a long line of undrafted cornerbacks to star in Foxboro (including Malcolm Butler and Jonathan Jones), Jackson already ranks ninth in franchise history with 25 interceptions after just four seasons.
Get to know more about Jackson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career in March 2022:
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J.C. Jackson's bio
- Height: 6-foot-1
- Weight: 198 pounds
- Birthdate: Nov. 17, 1995
- Birthplace: Immokalee, Florida
- Colleges: Florida, Riverside City College, Maryland
- NFL experience: 4 seasons
- Jersey number: 27
J.C. Jackson's career NFL stats
Here are some of J.C. Jackson's notable career achievements and statistics:
- Super Bowl LIII champion
- Second-Team All-Pro (2021)
- Pro Bowl (2021)
- AFC Defensive Player of the Month (November 2021)
- Led NFL in passes defended in 2021 (23)
- Career totals (through 2021 season):
- 25 interceptions
- 1 defensive touchdown
- 158 tackles
- 53 passes defended
- 1 forced fumble
Here are J.C. Jackson's contract details with the Patriots
New England Patriots
Jackson was assigned a second-round free agent tender by New England in March 2021 and signed a one-year, $3.384 million contract the next month. He'll be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career in March 2022.
Through the 2021 season, Jackson has earned just under $5.7 million.
J.C. Jackson's college career
A four-star recruit out of Immokalee High School in Florida, where he played both wide receiver and cornerback, Jackson enrolled at the University of Florida after receiving offers from Miami (Fla.), Florida State, Minnesota, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, South Carolina and Tennessee.
However, Jackson injured his shoulder in his Gators debut in the fall of 2014 and would never play another snap in Gainesville. He was then arrested in connection with an armed robbery -- all charges were later dismissed -- but would go on to enroll at Riverside City College in California in 2015 before resurfacing at Maryland for coach D.J. Durkin, who had served as interim coach at Florida in 2014 after Will Muschamp was fired.
Jackson played two seasons for the Terrapins, picked off four passes and defending 13 more over 24 games before declaring for the draft after his junior season in the fall of 2017.
Meet J.C. Jackson's family
Jackson is the son of Christopher Jackson and Lisa Dasher. His daughter, Jream, was born during the Patriots' game against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in October 2021.