Dane Tyrez Jackson (born November 29, 1996) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft. He also played for the Carolina Panthers.

Early life Jackson played high school football at Quaker Valley High School because the high school he attended, Cornell High School, did not have a football team. Jackson was an all-state basketball player for Cornell. He committed to Pittsburgh on June 24, 2014, choosing the Panthers over Bowling Green and Duquesne. He committed the day after then-Pitt coach Paul Chryst offered Jackson a scholarship after seeing him at a Pitt prospect camp.

College career After playing quarterback in high school, Jackson transitioned to cornerback at Pitt. He redshirted his freshman year and played mostly in a reserve role his redshirt freshman year, but then started every game during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons with Pitt. As a senior, he led Pitt with 12 pass breakups, and had 43 tackles, three for a loss, an interception and a sack assist. After his senior season, Jackson was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and took part in the 2020 Senior Bowl.

Professional career

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills selected Jackson in the seventh round with the 239th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Jackson signed a four-year, $3.376 million contract with the Bills on May 7, 2020. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on July 30, but was activated a week later. He was waived on September 5, and was re-signed to the practice squad the following day.

Following injuries to cornerbacks Levi Wallace and Josh Norman, Jackson was elevated to the active roster on October 13, 2020, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. He was elevated to the active roster on October 24 for the team's Week 7 game against the New York Jets, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. Against the Jets, Jackson finished with three tackles, two passes defensed, and one interception as the Bills won 18–10. He was elevated again on October 31, November 7, November 14, and January 2, 2021, for the team's Weeks 8, 9, 10, and 17 games against the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and Miami Dolphins, and reverted to the practice squad after each game. He was elevated again on January 15 and 23 for the divisional playoff game and AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, and reverted to the practice squad again following each game. On January 26, 2021, Jackson signed a reserves/futures contract with the Bills.

Jackson suffered a neck injury during a Monday Night Football game versus the Tennessee Titans on September 19, 2022, after colliding with teammate Tremaine Edmunds as the two attempted to tackle Tennessee receiver Treylon Burks. He was removed from the field in an ambulance, but was released from the hospital the following day after it was determined he had avoided major damage to the neck and spinal cord.

On March 17, 2023, Jackson re-signed with the Bills on a one-year contract.

Carolina Panthers On March 13, 2024, Jackson signed with the Carolina Panthers. He was placed on injured reserve on August 27 to begin the season. He was activated on October 19.

On February 21, 2025, Jackson was released by the Panthers.

Buffalo Bills (second stint) On March 14, 2025, the Buffalo Bills signed Jackson to a one-year contract. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on January 7, 2026. On March 6, Jackson was released by the Bills.

Jacksonville Jaguars On June 4, 2026, Jackson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. On July 28, he retired from professional football.

Career statistics Legend Bold Career high NFL

Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack Sfty TFL PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR 2020 BUF 5 2 15 13 2 0.0 0 1 5 1 6 6.0 6 0 0 1 2021 BUF 17 6 41 33 8 0.0 0 0 6 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 02022BUF1514574980.001122136.5110002023BUF106393450.000400000002024CAR93231580.001200000002025BUF303030.00000000000 Career 59 31 178 144 34 0.0 0 3 29 3 19 6.3 11 0 0 1

Postseason Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack Sfty TFL PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR 2021 BUF 2 2 10 9 1 0.0 0 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 2022 BUF 2 1 4 2 2 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 2023 BUF 2 2 2 1 1 0.0 0 0 4 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 2025 BUF 2 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 Career 8 5 17 13 4 0.0 0 1 5 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0

College Year Team TacklesInterceptionsFumbles 2016 Pitt 12 18 0.0 0.0 5 1 0 0 2017 Pitt 12 40 2.0 1.0 11 2 0 0 2018 Pitt 13 47 4.0 0.0 14 0 4 2 2019 Pitt 13 43 3.0 0.5 13 1 0 0 Total 50 148 9.0 1.5 43 4 4 2

References

External links

Pitt Panthers bio