Alaric Jackson

Alaric Jackson is a notable figure within the world of professional football, holding a firm position as an offensive tackle for the National Football League’s (NFL) Los Angeles Rams. This Canadian and American national was born on July 14, 1998, and has since carved out an impressive career in football. His journey began in Windsor, Ontario, where he was raised before relocating to Detroit, Michigan. He holds dual citizenship, testament to his roots in both Canada and the United States.

Jackson’s high school years were spent at Renaissance High School, and it was during this time that his passion for football started to form. Interestingly, his initial focus was on another popular sport, basketball. It wasn’t until his junior year of high school that he made the switch to football, gearing up for a future that would prove to be immensely rewarding and successful.

Upon the completion of his high school education, Jackson had several offers to consider for his future in college football. Institutions such as Iowa State, Nebraska, and Michigan State were all interested in having Jackson join their teams. However, he ultimately chose to commit to the University of Iowa.

Once enrolled at Iowa, he redshirted his true freshman season. This meant his first full season of play didn’t occur until his redshirt freshman season, where he excelled as a regular starter at left tackle for Iowa’s team. This robust performance didn’t go unnoticed, and he was awarded positions on both the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team and named a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.

Jackson’s sophomore season kicked off with a suspension due to a violation of team rules. This forced him to miss the season opener, but he made a strong comeback by starting the final twelve games of the season, a performance that was rewarded with a second-team All-Big Ten distinction.

In his redshirt junior year, Jackson was hampered by injuries that caused him to miss three games. Nevertheless, his consistent performance when he was able to play earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors by season’s end.

As a redshirt senior, Jackson reached new heights in his college football career. His outstanding performance in all eight games of Iowa’s pandemic-shortened 2020 season saw him named both first-team All-Big Ten and a second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.

Upon leaving college, Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2021. He managed to secure a spot on the Rams’ 53-man roster following training camp, and made his NFL debut later that year on October 31st, playing nine offensive snaps in the fourth quarter in a win over the Houston Texans. He capped his rookie season with a Super Bowl LVI victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Entering the 2022 season, Jackson began as a reserve offensive lineman. However, due to injuries among the starting lineup, he was promoted to starting right guard in the third week, a position he held for four games. He subsequently shifted to left tackle for two games.

Jackson’s 2022 season hit a road bump when he was diagnosed with blood clots, an issue that led to him being placed on season-ending injured reserve on November 16th of that year. More controversy arose in 2024 when he was suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Despite these challenges, Jackson’s career continues to progress and develop, and he remains a prominent figure in American professional football.