A former Georgia reserve who broke out with 1,000 receiving yards at Syracuse in his only season as a starter.
Jackson Meeks spent three quiet seasons buried on Georgia's depth chart before a transfer to Syracuse unlocked a breakout year that put him on NFL radars. He signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2025 and is the nephew of former Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith.
Path to the league
A three-star recruit out of Phenix City, Alabama, Meeks committed to Georgia and played there from 2021 to 2023, appearing in 36 games but managing just 10 receptions for 132 yards on national championship rosters. He transferred to Syracuse for 2024, where increased opportunity led to a breakout season and 1,021 receiving yards, the first Orange receiver to top 1,000 yards since Trishton Jackson in 2019.
Career highlights
Meeks earned ACC Receiver of the Week honors twice in 2024, first with 10 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown against Holy Cross, then with 11 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown against NC State. He capped his lone Syracuse season with second-team All-ACC recognition and impressed scouts further at the East-West Shrine Bowl despite not receiving an NFL Combine invite.
2025 season recap
Meeks signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025, with $200,000 in guaranteed money. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 26 but was re-signed to Detroit's practice squad, and he signed a reserve/futures contract with the team on January 5, 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jackson Meeks
- Audacy: Rookie WR Jackson Meeks forcing Lions into tough decision
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Syracuse
- Hometown
- Phenix City, AL, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
