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Chad Jackson

Chad Jackson (born March 6, 1985) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played three seasons in the (). A native of , Jackson attended the , where he emerged as a standout for the from 2003 to 2005. During his college career, he recorded 120 receptions for 1,586 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns, tying for 14th place on the program's all-time receptions list; he also contributed 90 rushing yards and two rushing scores. As a junior in 2005, Jackson tied the school single-season receptions record with 88 catches for 900 yards and nine touchdowns, leading the () in receptions while helping the Gators to a 9-3 record. That year, he earned first-team All-SEC honors from the , second-team All-SEC from the coaches, and was named a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top receiver; he also received honorable mention All-American recognition. Jackson declared for the following his junior season and was selected by the in the second round, 36th overall, of the . Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 210 pounds, he impressed at the Combine with a 4.32-second and a 38.5-inch . In his rookie year with the Patriots, Jackson appeared in 12 games, starting one, and posted 13 receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns, including a 35-yard score against the . He appeared in two more games in 2007 without recording a reception before being waived and claimed by the in 2008, where he added one catch for 19 yards in four appearances. Over his brief tenure, Jackson totaled 14 receptions for 171 yards and three touchdowns in 18 games. He was released by the Broncos after the 2008 season and did not appear in another game.

Early years

Early life

Chad Jackson was born on March 6, 1985, in . Raised in , Jackson grew up in a close-knit family environment that emphasized resilience and shared aspirations, particularly through his bond with his cousin Victor Hill, whom he regarded as a brother. The two shared early family dynamics rooted in Birmingham's urban neighborhoods, where they spent time together navigating personal challenges and dreaming of future successes. Jackson's initial exposure to football came during his childhood, as he and Hill tossed a back and forth on local sandlots, igniting a passion for the sport amid their playful competition and mutual encouragement. This early play fostered Jackson's love for the game, but the experience took on deeper personal significance following Hill's tragic death from sudden during a summer workout in June 2002. Motivated by the profound loss of his cousin, Jackson drew strength from to honor Hill's memory, shaping his determination in the years ahead. He later transitioned to organized football at Hoover High School.

High school career

Chad Jackson emerged as a standout during his three-year starting tenure at Hoover High School in , where he showcased exceptional speed and hands that made him a focal point of the Buccaneers' potent offense. Over his high school career from 2000 to 2002, Jackson amassed 202 for 3,553 yards and 40 , establishing himself as one of the most productive pass-catchers in history. As a leader on the team, he contributed significantly to Hoover's Alabama Class 6A state championships in 2000 and 2002, including earning honors in the 2002 title game with a in a 39-29 victory over Jeff Davis. In his senior year of 2002, Jackson elevated his performance with 68 receptions for 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning first-team All-State honors for the second consecutive season and national recognition as a All-American and Super Prep All-American. His dominant play that year solidified his status as the top recruit in and one of the premier prospects nationally, ranked in Tom Lemming's preseason Top 100.

College career

2003–2004 seasons

Chad Jackson, a highly touted recruit from High School in , joined the as a and Super Prep All-American in 2003. As a three-year starter in high school, he brought elite speed and athleticism to the , earning immediate interest from top programs before committing to under head coach . In the 2003 season, Jackson played as a true , appearing in all 13 games primarily on special teams while seeing limited action at receiver in four contests against San Jose State, , Florida A&M, and . He recorded 3 receptions for 38 yards, averaging 12.7 yards per catch, and scored 1 , contributing modestly to a Gators team that finished 8-5 and reached the Outback Bowl. His role highlighted the typical adjustment for a highly recruited integrating into a deep roster, where he focused on learning the system and earning trust through special teams play. Jackson's sophomore year in 2004 marked significant development under Zook's offense, as he emerged as a deep-threat option with his signature speed. He demonstrated this potential in play, including a 81-yard on his only catch against , showcasing his ability to stretch the field against top defenses. Notable performances included 90 yards on 3 receptions with a versus and a career-high 103 yards on 6 catches with another score against State—the first 100-yard receiving game by a sophomore since 1998. Overall, Jackson tallied 29 receptions for 648 yards and 6 in 12 games, leading the with 22.3 yards per and ranking 10th in the conference in receiving yards per game at 54.0. These contributions helped the 7-5 Gators in a transitional season, underscoring his growing impact as a vertical threat in Zook's scheme.

2005 season

In 2005, Chad Jackson emerged as a breakout star for the under first-year head coach , transitioning into the team's primary and leading the offense with his speed and reliability. Starting 11 of 12 games, he recorded 88 receptions for 900 yards and 9 touchdowns, tying the school single-season receptions record set by Carlos Alvarez in 1969. His performance led the (SEC) in receptions and ranked second in the league for receiving yards and touchdowns, establishing him as a key component of Florida's 9-3 campaign that culminated in an Bowl victory over . Jackson's junior season featured several historic achievements that underscored his growth as a deep-threat receiver. He became the third in program history to catch two touchdown passes of 80 or more yards in his career, joining and Ricky Nattiel, highlighted by an 80-yard reception that stood as the longest by an receiver that year. Additionally, he achieved back-to-back 100-yard receiving early in the , including 5 receptions for 105 yards and a against Louisiana Tech on September 10, following a 10-catch, 138-yard, three- explosion versus in the opener. Other standout performances included 9 receptions for 105 yards and two at on September 24, and 9 catches for 97 yards with a against rival Florida State on November 26, where he opened the scoring. His contributions earned Jackson widespread recognition, including first-team All-SEC honors from the , second-team All-SEC from the coaches, honorable mention All-American from , and a spot as one of 15 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation's top receiver. As Florida's leading receiver in 10 of 12 games, Jackson's ability to stretch the field vertically complemented Meyer's , forcing defenses to account for his speed on deep routes and creating opportunities for the Gators' balanced attack. Following the season, Jackson opted to forgo his senior year, informing officials on January 5, 2006, that he would declare for the to pursue a professional career.

Professional career

Pre-draft and

Following his breakout 2005 college season, in which he recorded 88 receptions for 900 yards and nine touchdowns as a semi-finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, Chad Jackson entered the NFL Draft process as a highly regarded prospect. At the , Jackson measured 6 feet 1 inch tall and 213 pounds, showcasing elite athleticism with a 4.32-second —one of the fastest times among wide receivers—and a 38.5-inch . He did not run the 40-yard dash at Florida's pro day but participated in other drills, impressing scouts with his route-running and ball skills. Scouting reports praised Jackson's strengths as a deep-threat receiver, highlighting his excellent speed, good size, physical build for contested catches, and roots that contributed to his toughness over the middle, while noting areas for improvement like hand consistency and reliance on Florida's . Projections positioned him as a first- or second-round pick, with some analysts viewing him as a potential top selection due to his production and athletic profile. The New England Patriots selected Jackson in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2006 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4 million with the Patriots.

New England Patriots

Chad Jackson was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round (36th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida. As a rookie, he appeared in 12 games, primarily serving as a deep threat in Bill Belichick's offense, where his speed was utilized to stretch the field. Jackson recorded 13 receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns, with notable performances including a 42-yard touchdown catch against the New York Jets in Week 2 and a 35-yard score versus the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. However, hamstring and groin injuries hampered his development, causing him to miss four games and limiting his snaps early in the season. He also tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during the AFC Championship Game loss to the Indianapolis Colts on January 21, 2007, which required surgery in February and sidelined him for much of the ensuing offseason. In the 2007 season, Jackson began on the (PUP) list due to his recovery but was activated in late October after missing the first eight games. He appeared in two games, contributing on special teams with five kickoff returns for 85 yards, but recorded no receptions amid ongoing issues and a scope procedure that further limited his offensive role. The Patriots' acquisition of in the offseason intensified competition at , relegating Jackson to a depth role behind Moss, , and in a crowded position group. Entering the 2008 preseason, Jackson showed promise in , earning a spot on the initial 53-man roster with improved conditioning and flashes of speed. However, persistent questions about his consistency and depth chart position led to his surprise release on September 1, 2008, prior to the regular season opener. Over three seasons with the Patriots, Jackson appeared in 14 games (one start), totaling 13 receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns, underscoring a derailed by injuries despite his potential as a vertical threat and special teams contributor.

Denver Broncos

After being waived by the New England Patriots on August 31, 2008, Jackson signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent on October 27, 2008, providing depth at wide receiver amid the team's injury concerns. During the 2008 season, Jackson appeared in four games for the Broncos, primarily contributing on special teams with eight kickoff returns for 162 yards, while recording one reception for 19 yards as a depth option in the offense led by quarterback Jay Cutler. His limited offensive role reflected ongoing challenges in regaining full speed following injury history from his time with the Patriots, which affected his availability and integration into the Broncos' system. Jackson returned for the 2009 preseason, appearing in exhibition games, but was unable to secure a lasting spot on the 53-man roster. The Broncos waived him on September 7, 2009, ending his brief tenure with the team.

Later career attempts

Following his release from the Denver Broncos in 2009, Jackson signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills on March 31, 2010, aiming to revive his NFL career amid ongoing recovery from prior ACL and hamstring injuries that had plagued him since 2006. He spent the offseason and training camp with the team but saw no regular-season action, as the Bills waived him on September 4, 2010, during final roster cuts. After a year away from professional football, Jackson joined the of the United Football League (UFL) on June 29, 2011, seeking opportunities in the to rebuild his form despite lingering effects from his earlier injuries. In the UFL's abbreviated four-game season, he appeared in limited action, recording 9 receptions for 126 yards and 1 , including an 18-yard scoring catch in a September 2011 loss to the . Later that summer, Jackson returned to the by signing with the on August 6, 2011, participating in preseason activities but again failing to secure a roster spot due to the persistent impact of his injury history on his performance and availability. The Raiders waived him on September 3, 2011, as they trimmed to the 53-man roster. These brief engagements across the Bills, , and Raiders yielded no significant playing time or statistical contributions, effectively marking the end of Jackson's professional football career after 2011.

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