JJ #38

Justin Jackson

Running Back · Northwestern

Former Northwestern standout and Chargers draft pick who retired from the NFL in 2023.

Justin Jackson was a decorated college rusher at Northwestern who carved out a five-year NFL career as a rotational back. He stepped away from the game in 2023, and his last NFL stop was with the Detroit Lions.

★ Four 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Northwestern

★ Seventh-round NFL draft pick (2018)

Path to the league

Jackson was one of the most productive runners in Big Ten history at Northwestern, where he topped 1,000 rushing yards in all four seasons. The Los Angeles Chargers selected him in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent his first four seasons in Los Angeles as a complementary back behind the Chargers' lead runners.

Career highlights

Jackson totaled just over 1,500 scrimmage yards across his Chargers tenure, providing depth and change-of-pace work. He later joined the Detroit Lions, appearing in 16 games with the team in 2022. His college resume, with four 1,000-yard seasons, remains his signature accomplishment.

Retirement

Jackson was placed on the reserve/retired list in August 2023, ending his NFL career at age 27, per ESPN reporting. The move came shortly before the Lions' preseason opener, and he did not play in 2024 or 2025.