2025 NFL Draft: Georgia safety Dan Jackson picked by Detroit Lions in 7th round
After five seasons at Georgia, all as a walk-on, Dan Jackson is getting a chance to play in the National Football League. The Gainesville, Ga. native was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 230th pick (7th round) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jackson used every ounce of his eligibility in Athens after joining the team in 2019 as a preferred walk on. He redshirted that season while helping the Bulldogs on the scout team.
Despite COVID-19 and all of the challenges that came with it, nothing changed in 2020. Jackson didn’t lose a year of eligibility due to the NCAA’s decision to not count that season against the eligibility of any player in any sport, but he was a scout-team player once again.
Jackson had a strong offseason in 2021 and found a role for himself. He went from playing zero snaps the year before to playing in all 15 games. Jackson also started four games when star Georgia safety Christopher Smith battled multiple injuries. He piled up 40 total tackles and two tackles for loss as the Bulldogs went 14-1 and won a National Championship. Jackson was part of the convoy that led Kelee Ringo into the end zone for the game-sealing touchdown against Alabama in the National Championship.
He started the first game of the 2022 season but quickly gave way to Malaki Starks the following week. His season ended after just seven games due to foot surgery. Jackson had 16 tackles, an interception and a tackle for loss in those seven games.
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The 2023 season saw Jackson play in 11 games as he continued to battle injuries to start the year. He started just one game and finished the year with 20 total tackles and four pass breakups.
Jackson’s best season came in 2024 when he was a big-time playmaker for the Bulldogs. He started all 14 games and was arguably Georgia’s most consistent defensive back throughout the year. Jackson racked up 64 total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He also had a forced fumble which saved Georgia in its Black Friday win over Georgia Tech.
His hit on Haynes King jarred the ball loose in the final minutes and allowed the offense to tie the game in regulation. Georgia went on to win 44-42 in eight overtimes.
“Dan’s intelligent. Dan’s smart,” Smart said all the way back in 2021. “I don’t know how many people know Dan, he’s a young man who is a walk-on in our program. He got into school at Georgia on his own. He’s a great student. Just to do that is pretty incredible and he’s smart. He tested well. He runs fast. A lot of people assume that if you’re a walk-on, you can’t run. He’s fast, he’s smart, and he’s getting better with every rep. It’s so important to him. It matters to Dan. I don’t know how he played today but I know he has gotten better with every practice.”
