On Apr. 27, Raider Alum and standout Defensive End Joseph Jackson ’16 was drafted into the National Football League. The high school and collegiate star defensive end was selected in the 5th Round with the 165th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys.

Jackson joins elite company of Raider student-athletes to be selected in the NFL Draft; the 2010 1st Round Selection of cornerback Patrick Robinson to the New Orleans Saints and legendary safety Sean Taylor, who was the fifth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.

Jackson played with the Raiders from the 2012 season through the 2015 season before playing college football at the University of Miami for three seasons. Jackson was a huge part of Miami’s success defensively and immediately saw playing time as just a true freshman. He led Miami in tackles for loss in his first year with the team, when he only started two games. As a sophomore and junior, he started a remarkable 24 of 26 possible games, becoming a reliable pass rusher and key defensive piece for the Hurricanes.

At Gulliver, Jackson played as both a defensive end, racking up 105 total tackles and 10 sacks over his final two seasons of high school, while also playing basketball for the Raiders. He earned a 4-star rank by ESPN.

Jackson joins an elite Cowboys defense that was one of the league’s best last season, and will look to make an immediate impact as a rookie in Dallas.