Jackson Jeffcoat

{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1990)}}

{{Infobox Canadian Football League biography

| name = Jackson Jeffcoat

| image = 2019 Grey Cup parade, Jackson Jeffcoat.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Jeffcoat at the Blue Bombers 2019 Grey Cup parade

| team =

| number = 94, 53

| position = Defensive end

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|12|26}}

| birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 3

| weight_lbs = 253

| high_school = Plano West {{nowrap|(Plano, Texas)}}

| college = Texas

| playing_years1 = {{NFL Year|2014}}

| playing_team1 = Seattle Seahawks*

| playing_years2 = {{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2015}}

| playing_team2 = Washington Redskins

| playing_years3 = {{NFL Year|2016}}

| playing_team3 = Cleveland Browns*

| playing_years4 = {{CFL Year|2017}}–{{CFL Year|2023}}

| playing_team4 = Winnipeg Blue Bombers

| career_footnotes = *Offseason and/or practice squad member only

| status = Retired

| import = Yes

| career_highlights =

2× Grey Cup champion (2019, 2021)
Ted Hendricks Award (2013)
Consensus All-American (2013)
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2013)
First-team All-Big 12 (2013)
Second-team All-Big 12 (2011)

| CFLAllStar = {{CFL Year|2021}}

| CFLWestAllStar = {{CFL Year|2021}}

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 147

| statlabel2 = Sacks

| statvalue2 = 38.0

| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue3 = 13

| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue4 =

| statlabel5 = Interceptions

| statvalue5 = 2

| NFL = jacksonjeffcoat/2550299/

| CFL = jackson-jeffcoat/160560/

}}

Jackson Jeffcoat (born December 26, 1990{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/jacksonjeffcoat/2550299/profile|title=Jackson Jeffcoat Stats, News and Video - OLB|website=NFL.com }}) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire Canadian Football League (CFL) career as a defensive end with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Jeffcoat won the 107th and 108th Grey Cup when the Blue Bombers defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to conclude the 2019 and 2021 seasons. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns. Jeffcoat was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and also played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns.

Early life

Born in Dallas, Texas, while his father, Jim Jeffcoat, played for the Dallas Cowboys,{{Cite web |last=Farnsworth |first=Clare |date=June 15, 2014 |title=Jackson Jeffcoat hoping to follow in his father's footsteps |url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Jackson-Jeffcoat-hoping-to-follow-in-his-father%E2%80%99s-footsteps/1add59f6-991c-45c2-8c0f-2e811d0da265 |access-date=September 2, 2014 |website=Seahawks.com |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903091323/http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Jackson-Jeffcoat-hoping-to-follow-in-his-father%E2%80%99s-footsteps/1add59f6-991c-45c2-8c0f-2e811d0da265 |url-status=dead }} Jeffcoat attended Plano West Senior High School, where he was a two-time first-team all-state defensive end. Over his final three seasons, he recorded 259 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 56 TFL, 42 pressures, four PBU, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, two blocked kicks, and a touchdown. He was named a High School All-American by USA Today, Parade, and EA Sports. He was selected to play in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Jeffcoat was listed as the No. 1 strong-side, defensive end in the class of 2010.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2010 |title=Strongside defensive ends 2010 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2399 |website=Rivals.com}}

College career

Jeffcoat attended the University of Texas at Austin from 2010 to 2013. Jeffcoat was named a 2010 Freshman All-American by The Sporting News.{{Cite web |last=Fagan |first=Ryan |title=SN college football Freshman of the Year: South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/feed/2010-12/sn-football-awards/story/sn-college-football-freshman-of-the-year-south-carolina-rb-marcus-lattimore |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217153744/http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/feed/2010-12/sn-football-awards/story/sn-college-football-freshman-of-the-year-south-carolina-rb-marcus-lattimore |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |website=Sporting News}} As a senior in 2013, he was a consensus All-American and won the Ted Hendricks Award in recognition of his contributions on the field.[http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/headlines/20131228-texas-senior-defensive-end-jackson-jeffcoat-reflects-on-tumultuous-career.ece Texas senior defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat reflects on tumultuous career]

Professional career

=2014 NFL Combine=

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 3

| weight = 247

| dash = 4.63

| ten split =

| twenty split =

| shuttle =

| cone drill = 6.97

| vertical = 36

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 3

| bench = 18

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 33+7/8

| hand span = 9+5/8

| note = All values from NFL Combine.{{Cite web |title=Jackson Jeffcoat |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jackson-jeffcoat?id=2543660 |publisher=NFL}}

}}

=Seattle Seahawks=

Jeffcoat was originally predicted to be drafted somewhere in the middle rounds of the 2014 NFL draft. However, neither he nor any other member of the Longhorns team was selected that year, the first time since 1937 that no Longhorns were drafted.Halliburton, Suzanne (May 10, 2014). [http://www.statesman.com/weblogs/bevo-beat/2014/may/10/texas-big-12-draft-updates/ No Longhorns selected in draft]. Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved May 11, 2014. Jeffcoat signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. The Seahawks released him on August 25, 2014.{{Cite web |title=Seahawks part ways with eight players |url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Seahawks-part-ways-with-eight-players/89173a0f-083d-4232-9705-4a83c3693724 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826161017/http://www.seahawks.com/news/articles/article-1/Seahawks-part-ways-with-eight-players/89173a0f-083d-4232-9705-4a83c3693724 |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |access-date=August 25, 2014}}

File:Jackson Jeffcoat.jpg

=Washington Redskins=

On September 2, 2014, Jeffcoat was signed to the practice squad of the Washington Redskins.{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Mike |date=September 2, 2014 |title=Redskins sign center Braxston Cave, linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat to practice squad |work=WashingtonPost.com |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/09/02/redskins-sign-c-braxston-cave-lb-jackson-jeffcoat-to-practice-squad/ |access-date=September 2, 2014}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 7,{{Cite web |last=Tandler |first=Rich |date=October 7, 2014 |title=Redskins waive two players, promote one |url=http://www.csnwashington.com/redskinsblog/redskins-waive-two-players-promote-one |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008180126/http://www.csnwashington.com/redskinsblog/redskins-waive-two-players-promote-one |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |website=CSNWashington.com}} but was waived three days later. The Redskins re-signed him to their practice squad again on November 13.{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2014 |title=Redskins Sign Jackson Jeffcoat To Practice Squad |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Sign-Jackson-Jeffcoat-To-Practice-Squad/6574a984-8d49-4bab-b6a7-a8a8c1f3faf1 |access-date=December 23, 2014 |website=Redskins.com |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224032410/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Sign-Jackson-Jeffcoat-To-Practice-Squad/6574a984-8d49-4bab-b6a7-a8a8c1f3faf1 |url-status=dead }} He was promoted again to the active roster on December 16.{{Cite news |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=December 16, 2014 |title=Colt McCoy heads to injured reserve |work=NBCSports.com |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/16/colt-mccoy-heads-to-injured-reserve/ |access-date=December 23, 2014}} In the Week 16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles that removed them from playoff contention, Jeffcoat recorded his first career sack on quarterback Mark Sanchez.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Andrew |date=December 20, 2014 |title=Redskins Drop Eagles 27-24 In FedExField Thriller |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Drop-Eagles-27-24-In-FedExField-Thriller/63d4439e-a718-408e-8a23-d0f00a9aa9c5 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |website=Redskins.com |archive-date=August 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817080720/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Drop-Eagles-27-24-In-FedExField-Thriller/63d4439e-a718-408e-8a23-d0f00a9aa9c5 |url-status=dead }} The following week, he had his first career start with Trent Murphy on injured reserve and recorded his first career interception, which came off Tony Romo, in the Week 17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite web |last=Skinnell |first=Brian |date=December 28, 2014 |title=Jeffcoat Seizes Opportunity In First-Career Start |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Jeffcoat-Seizes-Opportunity-In-First-Career-Start/66bd8239-ddbc-4c76-87f9-0648fe129d84 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |website=Redskins.com |archive-date=January 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104090519/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Jeffcoat-Seizes-Opportunity-In-First-Career-Start/66bd8239-ddbc-4c76-87f9-0648fe129d84 |url-status=dead }}

On November 7, 2015, he was placed on the team's injured reserve.{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2015 |title=11/7: Roster Moves And Injury Report Update |url=http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/117-Roster-Moves-And-Injury-Report-Update/c2631e9d-f7b4-47d6-8855-060eb983e69a |access-date=November 7, 2015 |website=Redskins.com |archive-date=November 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109020218/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/117-Roster-Moves-And-Injury-Report-Update/c2631e9d-f7b4-47d6-8855-060eb983e69a |url-status=dead }} He was waived by the team on April 14, 2016.{{Cite news |date=April 14, 2016 |title=Redskins waive linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2016/04/14/redskins-waive-linebacker-jackson-jeffcoat/ |access-date=April 14, 2016 |newspaper=Washington Post}}

=Cleveland Browns=

Jeffcoat was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns on April 15, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Zac |title=Browns claim Jackson Jeffcoat |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/15/browns-claim-jackson-jeffcoat/ |access-date=April 16, 2016 |website=Pro Football Talk|date=April 15, 2016 }} On August 1, 2016, Jeffcoat was waived by the Browns.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |title=Browns churn roster by adding two players and waiving two others |date=August 2016 |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/01/browns-churn-roster-by-adding-two-players-and-waiving-two-others/}}

= Winnipeg Blue Bombers =

Jeffcoat was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) on February 21, 2017.{{Cite news |title=Bombers add players to training camp roster |work=Winnipeg Sun |url=http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/02/21/bombers-add-players-to-training-camp-roster |access-date=February 23, 2017}} In 16 games played, Jeffcoat contributed 36 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 tackles on special teams, one interception, and a forced fumble. In Winnipeg's one postseason game, Jeffcoat had 5 tackles and a sack, but the Blue Bombers were defeated by Edmonton. 2018 saw Jeffcoat miss several games with injury, but he still put up a respectable 21 tackles, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Jeffcoat also had a monster postseason, with four sacks in two games played, but a loss to Calgary in the Western Division final denied Jeffcoat and the Blue Bombers a trip to the 106th Grey Cup.

File:DL at the 2021 Grey Cup celebration.jpg at Winnipeg's 2021 celebration at IG Field.]]

After fulfilling his CFL rookie contract, Jeffcoat was eligible to become a free agent on February 12, 2019. Jeffcoat was pursued by interested NFL teams, and was brought in for a workout by the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web|url=https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2018/12/28/bengals-hosted-cfl-players-tryouts/|title = Bengals hosted 5 CFL players on tryouts|date = December 28, 2018}} However, Jeffcoat was signed to a two-year contract extension with the Blue Bombers on January 21, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/bombers-sign-jeffcoat-to-two-year-extension-1.1244834|title=Bombers sign Jeffcoat to two-year extension - TSN.ca|date=January 21, 2019}} Jeffcoat's 2019 season was almost identical to his 2018; he missed time with injury, played in the same number of games, had the same number of sacks and forced fumbles. In the 2019 Grey Cup, Jeffcoat had 4 tackles, 2 sacks and forced a fumble, which he recovered as the Blue Bombers went on to win 33-12.{{Cite web |title=Box Score |url=https://www.cfl.ca/games/2646/hamilton-tiger-cats-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers/?_ga=2.186573166.6382398.1574814003-290622090.1574814003#boxscore |publisher=CFL}}

Jeffcoat signed a one-year contract extension with the Blue Bombers on January 8, 2021.{{Cite news |date=January 8, 2021 |title=Blue Bombers agree to terms with defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat on a one-year extension |work=BlueBombers.com |url=https://www.bluebombers.com/2021/01/08/blue-bombers-agree-terms-defensive-end-jackson-jeffcoat-one-year-extension/ |access-date=February 16, 2021}} He played in 12 regular season games for the Bombers during the 2021 season and set a career high with nine quarterback sacks and four forced fumbles, to go along with 26 defensive tackles. Jeffcoat was named a CFL All-Star for the first time in his career, as he helped the Bombers win consecutive Grey Cups. Jeffcoat missed two games in the 2022 season with a hip injury.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2022-08-03 |title=Bombers' Jeffcoat (hip) to return vs. Alouettes - TSN.ca |url=https://www.tsn.ca/jackson-jeffcoat-winnipeg-blue-bombers-active-1.1832589 |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=TSN |language=en}}

On January 19, 2023, Jeffcoat and the Bombers agreed to a one-year contract extension.{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2023-01-16 |title=Jackson Jeffcoat Winnipeg Blue Bombers one-year deal |url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/jackson-jeffcoat-winnipeg-blue-bombers-one-year-deal-1.1906943 |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=TSN |language=en-CA}} Jeffcoat suffered a lower-body injury in the Bombers' Week 1 win, the injury caused him to miss some action at the start of the season.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-21 |title=Jackson Jeffcoat to miss second straight game for Winnipeg Blue Bombers |url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/jackson-jeffcoat-to-miss-second-straight-game-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-1.1975812 |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=TSN |language=en-CA}} However, Jeffcoat recovered and played in the most games in a single season since his rookie year, and produced his second highest numbers of sacks and forced fumbles on the year. After not hearing much from the Bombers prior to free agency, Jeffcoat retired on February 9.{{cite web | last=Friesen | first=Paul | title=Not mad, but 'at peace': Bombers' Jackson Jeffcoat calls it a career | website=Winnipeg Sun | date=2024-02-09 | url=https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/not-mad-but-at-peace-bombers-jeffcoat-calls-it-a-career | access-date=2025-05-17}}