Malik Jackson (linebacker)

Jackson played for the Louisville Cardinals for his collegiate career.

As a freshman in 2004 he appeared in 11 games mostly on special teams and recorded eight tackles.^[1] Against Army he recorded a career-high three tackles and added two against Cincinnati.^[1]

During his sophomore season in 2005, Jackson played in all 12 games and had career high 30 tackles.^[1] Jackson made four tackles in his first collegiate start against North Carolina.^[1] He added seven tackles which became his career high against Oregon State and then two against Kentucky.^[1]

In 2006, as a junior he played in all of the Cardinals' 13 games which included the Orange Bowl.^[1] He ranked third on the team with 57 tackles and second in the Big East in sacks and tackles for a loss.^[1] Jackson led Louisville in sacks with nine and tackles for a loss with 16.^[1] In the Orange Bowl, he had four tackles and two for a loss, also recording a sack and a fumble recovery.^[1] The fumble recovery came with 1:55 left in the second half and was considered controversial as to whether Kenneth Moore of Wake Forest's knee had hit the ground.^[2] His fumble recovery was also the first of his Louisville career.^[1] After the season, he was named to the second-team All-Big East team.^[1]

Jackson signed as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders on April 28, 2008.^[3][4] He was released on August 12.^[4][5] During his stint with the Raiders he was listed as a linebacker.^[3]

Jackson signed with the Albany Firebirds in 2009. On May 9, Jackson debuted with Albany and recorded a team high three pass breakups and four tackles.^[6] While with Albany, Jackson played both defensive back and linebacker.^[6]

Jackson signed with the Calgary Stampeders on May 13, 2009, as a linebacker.^[4][7] He was released on July 8,^[8] but re-signed the next day to Calgary's practice roster.^[8] In his first appearance of the 2009 Calgary Stampeders season, Jackson recorded one special teams tackle.^[9] In a 44–9 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in Week 3, Jackson was runner-up for the league's defensive player of the week award (behind teammate Dwaine Carpenter) after recording six tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.^[10] Malik Jackson spent 5 seasons (2009 through 2013) with the Stampeders, totalling 214 tackles, 26 special teams tackles, 11 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 fumble recoveries and 2 defensive touchdowns. Jackson suffered a broken arm in the 2013 CFL season, which caused him to only play in 2 games that season. In the off-season Jackson was not re-signed by the Stampedes and became a free agent on February 11, 2014.

On February 12, 2014, Jackson signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.^[11]