Jackson attended Skyline High School, where he practiced football and track.
He transferred to Coffeyville Junior College after his freshman season, where he received All-conference honors.
As a junior, he was named the starter at free safety in the fifth game against the University of Kansas.
Jackson was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the ninth round (224th overall) of the 1989 NFL draft.
On June 12, 1991, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.