Johnny Jackson is a dominating force on the defensive line. He's going to show that ability in the Canadian Football League as the newest member of the Calgary Stampeders.

Following a tremendous high school career, Jackson began his education and college playing days at Sacramento Community College. While at Sacramento Community College, Jackson set the Junior College single season sack record, along with the record for the most sacks in a single game and the most sacks in a junior college career (55).

Following two seasons at Sacramento Community College, Jackson entertained offers from schools all over the country including Arizona, Texas, Ohio State and Nebraska.  He was also highly recruited by the PAC-10 and decided to go to California-Berkeley to stay close to his family. 

When he began intense off-season workouts in January, he noticed his knee was still bothering him.  At that time, he was advised by the Cal coaches to undergo an MRI. That showed an anterior cruciate ligament injury and a decision was made to have surgery to repair the damage.  The surgery was successfully completed in late February 1999.  He stuck to a strict workout program and was able to lose a lot of body fat, eventually making him healthier.

While at Cal, he was practicing with the team in preparation for the upcoming season.  He had made up his mind that he could be fully recovered from his surgery and ready to contend for a starting position by the season opener.  Progress was well ahead of schedule and he was on pace to play.  However, he suffered a setback when the NCAA barred him from playing for the Bears just before the football season started due to a rule misunderstanding.

Having had to switch schools again, Jackson decided to continue his playing days in the PAC-10 at the University of Arizona. Jackson did not have the chance to make the impact that he had intended to during his first year at Arizona.  He had to split time with a returning senior starter while he learned the new system.  Overall while playing in eight games, he still managed 35 tackles with 10 for losses and 4 sacks.  The challenge in Arizona was the new style of football that he had to adapt to.  Johnny had been a rush end and known as a pure speed rusher.  He had to adjust to coach Mackovic’s system and he learned how to cover back out of the back field and contain gaps.

During his senior season in 2001, he started in all 11 games for the Wildcats.  He ended the season with 60 tackles, including 15 for losses and 8 sacks.  Jackson also had one interception to go along with three forced fumbles, three deflections and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.  He played and registered many sacks against offensive linemen currently playing in the NFL.  Jackson finished his season playing in the Paradise Bowl (senior all-star game).

In early-2002, Jackson’s mother was diagnosed with what her doctors described as the early stages of cancer.  It is with this information that he decided to postpone his combine training and be with his mother through this difficult time.  He took time off to be with his family and help take care of his younger brother and sister while his mother underwent treatment.  During this time, he managed to continue taking some classes towards graduation at Arizona.  Fortunately, his mother overcame the cancer and entered into a state of remission.

Jackson then spent the year working out in preparation for the 2004 season in the NFL European League with plans to come back and play in the NFL.  He managed to maintain his mental focus and overall conditioning throughout this time.  He has also improved most, if not all, of his performance stats.  Working with both strength and speed coaches, he employed a number of additional training methods into his normal workout, including yoga and plyometrics.

Now Jackson is fully ready to commit to football and understands what it takes to make it to the highest level and is ready to lead others and help them become the best they can be as well.

"Playing football is a job. It takes hard work to compete at the higher levels, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t love it," says Jackson. "I like hanging out with my guys in the locker room, on and off the field. I like to make people laugh. I like being the center of attention at times. But I feel most comfortable as the leader of a defense or team."