Giles Jackson

Giles Jackson's Biography

Giles Jackson, born on December 11, 2001, is an American athletic talent recognized broadly for his distinct skills in football. Currently, Jackson holds a prominent role as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Washington Huskies, a team within the prestigious Pac-12 Conference. His journey to this position, however, saw him traverse multiple fields, starting with his days as a Michigan Wolverine, spanning across a couple of seasons.

Beginning his early days in Antioch, California, Jackson quickly developed a love for football. As a student of Freedom High School, he began making his mark on the athletic realm. His junior year in 2017 duly showcased his prowess as a player, amassing impressive statistics on the field. He clocked a total of 1,586 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns over 221 carries, effectively demonstrating his potential. Sporting commendable versatility, he also caught 21 passes, gaining 324 yards and bagging five touchdowns.

His football abilities rapidly led to him committing to the University of Michigan in September 2018. Following his commitment to Michigan, he had an outstanding senior year, making 63 receptions for 1,254 yards with 13 touchdowns. Augmenting his resume further, he also made 38 rushing carries over 207 yards and a stellar 65-yard punt return leading to a touchdown.

Upon entering college football, Jackson, then a 17-year-old freshman, stepped into the daunting realms of wide receiver and kick returner in 2019. Displaying an extraordinary caliber for a freshman, he participated in all the season’s 13 games. His efforts led him to become the second freshman in Michigan’s rich history to score touchdowns in three modes – kick return, pass reception, and rushing, following the lead of stalwart Gil Chapman. His performance in the 2020 Citrus Bowl won him accolades, as he recorded four passes amounting to 57 yards, including a notable 40-yard gainer against the formidable Alabama team.

Besides his remarkable offensive contributions, Jackson displayed tremendous expertise in special teams. He returned 24 kickoffs over an aggregate of 622 yards, averaging 25.9 yards per return. One noteworthy run was a 97-yard return marking a touchdown in the opening play against Maryland. His performance for the 2019 season on the offensive front totaled 19 touches over 211 yards. His contributions garnered him honorable mention All-Big Ten honors, consolidating his reputation as a rising star. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh applauded Jackson’s efforts, boiling it down to his spectacular speed and talent.

For the former part of the 2019 season, Jackson sported the jersey number 15. However, following a NCAA announcement in February 2020 allowing players to wear the jersey number 0, Jackson opted for the digit, making him the first Michigan football player to do so. This shift coincided with the departure of formidable receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tarik Black, and Nico Collins, prodding Jackson’s central role in Michigan’s offense for the 2020 season.

A landmark moment in Jackson’s Michigan career came on November 21, 2020, during a triple-overtime victory against Rutgers. Jackson scored a touchdown by returning the opening kickoff of the second half for a spectacular 94 yards. He also cleverly earned a pass interference penalty, setting the stage for the game-winning touchdown in the third overtime period. Jackson’s season concluded with 15 catches amounting to 167 yards and 18 successful kickoff returns over 399 yards, including a touchdown, demonstrating his invaluable contribution to the team.

However, on March 29, 2021, Jackson decided to part ways with Michigan, announcing his intention to transfer from the team. His current play for the Washington Huskies asserts his constant strive for growth, pursuing new challenges, and a relentless passion for the game.