Ja’Quez Jackson returns for his second season with the Sugar Skulls in 2025.
Jackson concluded the '24 season with 29 solo tackles and 28 assists, totaling 43 overall. Before joining Tucson, Jackson briefly played for the Frisco Fighters.
During his time at Georgia Tech, Jackson accumulated over 240 tackles, comprising 127 solo tackles, 119 assisted tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. He showed consistent improvement each year, nearly doubling his tackles from 49 in 2020 to 80 in the following year, and then surpassing 100 in his senior year during the 2021 season. Jackson's outstanding performance earned him a spot on the second-team All-AAC Defense.
Hailing from Fort Valley, Georgia, Jackson was ranked as the nation’s No. 25 inside linebacker in his class and Georgia’s No. 65 player by Rivals. He was a two-time all-state honoree and was named the 2017 Georgia Region 4-3A Defensive Player of the Year for his exceptional senior season performance: 137 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Furthermore, he played a crucial role in leading Peach County High to the 2017 Georgia 3A state championship game, during which he totaled 252 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.
