D ' Qwell Jackson D ' Qwell Jackson ( born September 26 , 1983 ) is an American football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was originally drafted by the Browns in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft . He played college football at the University of Maryland . Early years . Jackson attended Seminole High School in Seminole , Florida , where he was a three - year letterwinner and spent time at linebacker , fullback , quarterback and punter . Jackson made 150 tackles with 16 for loss , four forced fumbles and four fumbles recovered as a junior in 2000 , and 91 tackles as a senior , including 10 sacks . He also rushed for 950 yards with a 5 . 7 - yard average and 13 touchdowns as a fullback . Jackson was a first team all - state selection by the " Associated Press " as a junior and senior . Considered a three - star recruit by " Rivals . com " , Jackson was ranked 57th among outside linebacker prospects in the nation . He chose to attend Maryland over North Carolina State . College career . In 2002 , Jackson saw action in all 14 games and led all freshmen in tackles with 51 , including 38 solo stops . As a sophomore , he started all 13 games at middle linebacker and led the team with 136 tackles ( 90 solo ) . He also recorded 7 . 5 tackles for a loss , 2 . 5 sacks , two interceptions ( one returned for a TD ) , two pass breakups , 10 QB hurries and one forced fumble . Jackson earned second team All - ACC selection honors that year . Having established himself as the leader of the Terrapin defense , Jackson started all 11 games in 2004 and led the ACC with 123 tackles . He was named first team All - America by " Collegefootballnews . com " and second team by " Rivals . com " , also receiving All - American honorable mention by " Pro Football Weekly " . Jackson entered his senior year on the preseason " watch list " for the Bednarik , Lombardi , Nagurski and Lott Awards . He became a three - time All - ACC performer after finishing the season with 137 tackles , 6 . 5 for loss , four sacks , and two interceptions . Jackson was also named ACC Defensive Player of the Year , joining E . J . Henderson as the only Terps to earn this honor . Jackson became only the seventh player in school history to record over 400 tackles in a career . His 447 tackles rank fourth on Maryland ' s all - time record list behind linebackers Eric Wilson ( 481 , 1981 – 84 ) , E . J . Henderson ( 473 , 1999 – 2002 ) and Chuck Faucette ( 466 , 1983 – 86 ) . He also joined Ratcliff Thomas ( 1993 – 95 ) and Henderson ( 2000 – 02 ) as the only Maryland players to lead the team in tackles three consecutive seasons . Professional career . 2006 NFL Draft . Jackson was the second highest - rated inside linebacker according to " SI " ′ s Tony Pauline , but some were scared off by his slow 40 - yard dash . Also , at 6 foot and 228 pounds , he was deemed " more suited for a Cover 2 defensive scheme " and considered as a possible weak - side linebacker . The Cleveland Browns selected him 2nd in the second round , 34th overall . He was the seventh linebacker taken in the 2006 NFL Draft . Cleveland Browns . Jackson was signed by the Cleveland Browns on July 24 , 2006 . In his rookie season , he started thirteen games at weakside linebacker and finished third on the team in tackles with 93 , including 60 solo and three tackles for a loss . Jackson posted a career - high 16 tackles at Carolina on October 8 , 2006 , and matched the total vs . Cincinnati on November 26 , 2006 . Playing inside linebacker in his third season with the Browns , Jackson led the NFL in tackles . Jackson ' s 2009 season was cut short after he was injured in the sixth game of the season against Pittsburgh . Jackson had a team high 57 tackles when he hurt his shoulder . Browns ' coach Eric Mangini said of Jackson at the time , “ It ’ s disappointing any time you lose a player for the season , and this is especially true with someone like D ’ Qwell , who has proven to be an outstanding leader for us both on and off the field . ” Jackson finally returned from injury in 2011 after nearly missing two whole seasons in a row and thrived in the Browns new 4 - 3 defensive alignment . Where the 3 - 4 restricted Jackson due to his lack of elite size , the 4 - 3 gave him more space and room to make a play on the ball - carrier . On October 26 , 2012 , Jackson was fined $ 7 , 875 for a late hit against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 .