Jackson grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina and attended Broome High School.
As a senior, Jackson was a finalist for the South Carolina's Mr. Football award.
[3] Jackson committed to Appalachian State University over offers from Charlotte and Georgia Southern.
[4] In his junior season, he tallied 87 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and he was named to the second-team All-Sun Belt Conference.
[12] Jackson is the cousin of former NFL running back Maurice Morris.