Jackson played college football for the University of California, Berkeley, and was a two-time consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Jackson was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and return specialist.

Jackson was featured on the cover of the PlayStation 2 version of NCAA Football 09. He also took part and won a competition of Hole in the Wall in April 2011. In 2014 he signed a three year contract with the Washington Redskins.