McKinnley Jackson

A Bengals third-round pick in 2024, Jackson began his rookie season on the Reserve/Injured list with a knee injury, but returned to the active roster ahead of Week 5 and played in 13 games ... He contributed 15 tackles, two TFLs, one sack and one FF, earning an increased role as a run-stuffing DT in the back half of the season ... He brought 40 games of collegiate experience at Texas A&M University, where he served as a team captain in each of his final two years and totaled 15.5 career TFLs with 7.5 sacks ... At 330 pounds, he was the heaviest defensive player on the Bengals roster in 2024.

A Bengals third-round pick in 2024, Jackson began his rookie season on the Reserve/Injured list with a knee injury, but returned to the active roster ahead of Week 5 and played in 13 games ... He contributed 15 tackles, two TFLs, one sack and one FF, earning an increased role as a run-stuffing DT in the back half of the season ... He brought 40 games of collegiate experience at Texas A&M University, where he served as a team captain in each of his final two years and totaled 15.5 career TFLs with 7.5 sacks ... At 330 pounds, he was the heaviest defensive player on the Bengals roster in 2024.

Career transactions:

Selected by Cincinnati in third round of NFL Draft (97th overall) on 4-26-24 ... Signed with Bengals on 5-10-24.

Pro career:

2024—Played in 13 games with one start as a third DT in rookie season ... Spent first four games on Reserve/Injured list due to knee injury sustained in training camp, then was activated to roster on Oct. 4 ... Totaled 15 tackles, two TFLs, one sack and one FF ... Made NFL debut on Oct. 6 vs. Baltimore, seeing action on nine defensive snaps ... Made first career tackle on Oct. 27 vs. Philadelphia, bringing down RB Saquon Barkley in fourth quarter ... Made first start on Dec. 9 at Dallas and logged three assisted tackles ... Forced a fumble on Dec. 15 at Tennessee, knocking ball free from RB Tony Pollard in the third quarter (recovered by S Jordan Battle) ... Recorded first career sack on Dec. 22 vs. Cleveland, taking down QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson for seven-yard loss in fourth quarter ... Had three tackles in season finale at Pittsburgh.

College:

Spent four seasons (2020-23) at Texas A&M ... Played in 40 games with 26 starts, totaling 91 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, one PD, one FF, two FRs and a blocked kick ... Served as a team captain in each of final two seasons ... Had 5.5 TFLs and three sacks while starting all 12 games as a senior ... Notched career-high 37 tackles with seven TFLs as a junior ... Named to Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team in 2020.

High school/personal:

Hometown is Lucedale, Miss. ... Attended George County High School in Lucedale, where he finished career with 34 TFLs and 10 sacks ... Named an Army All-American as a senior in 2019 ... Named MVP of Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game ... Earned bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies from Texas A&M in 2024.

Last Updated July 2025