As a rookie in 2018, he appeared in all 16 games with 10 starts and had 59 tackles (37 solo), a tackle for loss, a QB pressure, and 13 passes defensed (No. 2 on the team). He also had three special teams tackles and a blocked punt recovery for a touchdown. Jackson was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round (10th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played college football at University of Oklahoma. In 2017, as a sophomore, he started 11 of 12 games and had 52 tackles (35 solo), 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass defensed. As a freshman in 2016, he made 14 starts at weak-side linebacker and finished with 47 tackles (30 solo), including 2.5 sacks. He chose to attend Oklahoma over Nebraska, Alabama, and Michigan. “I want to be known as a leader who is responsible and makes sure his teammates are going to be alright even when you aren't,” Jackson said after his first season. “I think we have some really good players here and I just want to bring that out in them.” Jackson was named a First Team All-American by Pro Football Writers Association and Second Team All-American by AP.