NFF National Scholar-Athletes

Justin Jackson

  • School
    Northwestern
  • Induction
    2017
Justin Jackson, RB – Northwestern University
Economics – 3.23 GPA
Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald | Athletics Director: Jim Phillips
Faculty Athletics Representative: Robert Gundlach


Northwestern’s all-time leading rusher with 4,773 yards, Justin Jackson has matched that effort with success in the classroom and in the community. The team captain becomes the fifth NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Wildcats history.

A 2016 Second Team Academic All-American and First Team Academic All-District selection, Jackson maintains a 3.23 GPA in economics with a minor in French. The Carol Stream, Ill., native is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten pick, and he anticipates on graduating this December.

This season, Jackson has rushed 150 times for 644 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 33 catches for 218 yards. He had a season-high 171 yards against Maryland on Oct. 14, which helped him surpass the Wildcats’ career record. Jackson played a big part in Northwestern’s upset of then-ranked Michigan State on Oct. 28, completing his first career pass attempt for a touchdown and rushing for a score in overtime. He is now just the fifth running back in Big Ten history to reach 1,000 career rushing attempts.

A three-time All-Big Ten running back, Jackson earned First Team honors in 2016, Second Team laurels in 2015 and Honorable Mention accolades as a freshman. Ranking in the top 10 for multiple Northwestern records, he claims the top spot with 5,573 career all-purpose yards and sits second with 37 career rushing touchdowns. The first player in Wildcat history to rush more than 1,000 yards in three seasons, Jackson’s career mark of 4,773 currently ranks eighth in the Big Ten record books. He earned MVP honors in the 2016 New Era Pinstripe Bowl after rushing for a career-high 224 yards and setting a school bowl record with three rushing touchdowns to lead the Wildcats to the victory. Jackson led the Big Ten in 2016 with 117.2 rushing yards per game for a total of 1,524, and he has surpassed the 100-yard mark in 23 games during his standout career.

Making an impact in the community, Jackson is an executive member of the E.N.G.A.G.E. program, and he helped develop the Northwestern University Department of Athletics and Recreation’s inclusion statement and athlete alliance. He also participated in Student-Athlete Advisory Committee field days, youth football clinics and Misericordia candy days while making multiple visits to area schools, cancer centers and children’s hospitals.

All stats as of Nov. 1, 2017