IFL Bay Area Panthers

Former UCLA DL Datona Jackson Returns to Panthers

Published on February 5, 2024 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release


Defensive lineman Datona Jackson is banking on a full season of high-level play after emerging late in the Bay Area Panthers' championship run. Jackson has re-signed for the 2024 season.

"Datona is a hardworking, intelligent, relentless pass rusher," said Bay Area Head Coach Rob Keefe. "We are excited to have him back for another year as he will always give every play, everything he has."

Jackson signed before the Week 10 game against Duke City and worked his way into the starting lineup. He found his stride by the playoffs recording sacks against Northern Arizona in the Western Conference Championship game and another against Sioux Falls in the Dollar Loan Center IFL National Championship.

"The longer I was there, the better my production got," said Jackson. "I had a lot of missed tackles at the beginning since I had not had a lot of football activity since training for the XFL."

It had been a while since Jackson had a chance to play in a title game. As a senior at UCLA in 2021, Jackson was slated to play in the Holiday Bowl against North Carolina State only to have the game canceled less than five hours before kickoff due to COVID concerns.

There was a time when most believed Jackson's career was over. While at Mississinawa Valley High School in Union City, Ohio, Jackson was playing basketball and had a patella tendon injury while trying to dunk. On the fall to the floor, he also suffered a broken wrist. He was still recovering as a senior and never had a chance to showcase his skills at full strength.

Jackson returned to the field four years later, inspired by his cousin, Tayler Hawkins, who played at San Diego State. Jackson also hoped to become an Aztec but was told he needed to go the junior college route first.

That led Jackson to the College of the Desert where he recorded 10 sacks with four forced fumbles as a sophomore in 2018.

From COD, it was off to UCLA for three seasons. As a senior in 2021, Jackson started all 12 games and finished second on the team in sacks. All three years, he made the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and earned his undergraduate degree in sociology.

"I set goals for myself and did what it takes to achieve them," said Jackson. "I wanted to go to San Diego State but needed to play for JC for two years. Then I got a lot more offers and everything fell into place with me getting to UCLA.

When he decided to make a comeback, Jackson was inspired by NFL players Von Miller and Aaron Donald. From Miller, Jackson learned about ways to take advantage of speed on the edge and power moves from Donald.

For now, Jackson is set to be the best version of himself as a player before turning to coaching. He waited a long time to play for a championship. He and the rest of the Panthers are banking on making winning a habit. Starting in early March, the chase to repeat begins.

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