Jackson, 38, was a three-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2010, 2013) and a Second-team All-Pro (2009) during his 15-year NFL career. The former University of California standout was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 49 overall in the second-round of the 2008 NFL Draft and emerged as one of the league's best wide receivers and return specialists early in his career.

Jackson went on to play three seasons with the now-Washington Commanders from 2014 to 2016 and two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017 and 2018 before returning to the Eagles for two seasons in 2019 and 2020. The former Pro Bowler split the 2021 season between the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders and spent his final season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.

Jackson's reported hiring comes days after former NFL quarterback Michael Vick was hired as the head coach at Norfolk State. The hirings followed other HBCU programs finding success hiring legendary former players, despite limited prior head coaching experience, following a path taken by now-Colorado head coach, Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, when he was hired by Jackson State in 2020, as well as former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL legend Eddie George, who was hired by Tennessee State University in 2021.