Who Are Alaric Jackson’s Parents? All About Rams OT’s Single Mom

We use ‘Highlight reel’ a lot when there is something out of ordinary—be it a play or the pro journey. And that’s how Alaric Jackson‘s journey has been. But we’d say: more so chaotic. Per NFL.com’s draft analysis, Jackson was dubbed an “athletic left tackle” with the potential to swing between positions. Sounds versatile, right? But his journey to becoming a key player for the Rams didn’t start with fanfare; it began with some tough love, dietary changes, and a grind-it-out mentality.

Jackson reworked his body and his game at Iowa, and while his footwork wasn’t exactly NFL-ready at first, his Senior Bowl performance showed glimpses of the polished player he could become. But Before we dive into his Rams-era glow-up, let’s rewind to his Detroit days. At Renaissance High, Alaric (that’s AH-lair-ick for the uninitiated) wasn’t just a football standout—he set a school record for sacks, captained his team, and dabbled in everything from basketball to track. This guy was everywhere. But we’ll come to his shift from hard court to gridiron later.

Iowa snagged him early, even as Michigan made a last-minute push. That was key in his earlier development. As they say: Great careers are built on great foundations. Iowa provided that for Jackson, made him a Hawkeye as he earned Freshman All-American honors and later worked on his energy levels and trim for his senior season. Spoiler alert: it worked. He dominated as a senior and capped his college career with 42 starts at left tackle.

Fast forward to 2021. Jackson went undrafted (gasp!) but landed with the LA Rams. See, undrafted didn’t mean unnoticed for long, though. He’s since become a cornerstone of their offensive line. Need proof? Look at the Rams’ struggles when he’s not in the lineup—it’s night and day. But when he’s in it, he’s there to win it. We won’t advocate for the PFF grading for the judgement alone… But it’s hard to ignore when it’s pure Chef’s kiss. Run blocking at 79.2, pass blocking at 80.6, and an overall 80.6 grade scream consistency.

What can’t Jackson do? Whether it’s his well-timed punch, smooth transitions, or sheer hustle, the guy’s a Swiss Army knife on the O-line. Oh, and his performance this season has fans calling for a no-haggle extension, JUST A LIL FYI!. Rams Nation knows what’s up: Jackson isn’t just staying relevant—he’s thriving.

But…drums rolls …getting here wasn’t easy. No, we don’t say it because of the hard work, effort, that’s a necessity for thriving. However, the big task Jackson had in front of him was to convince his mom about the gridiron grit. You know a mother’s heart could never allow her to watch her son like that, and Dionne was no different from any mom in that aspect.

Who is Alaric Jackson’s Mom?

Alaric Jackson was born in Windsor, Ontario, but Detroit is where his football dreams took root—and where his mom, Dionne Jackson, played the ultimate defensive coordinator. We don’t say that lightly… A single mama, societal boundaries, family’s down-looking, and, on top of all that, an ambitious son. That’s a tall…very tall order, especially as a single mother. Respect for Dionne, increased by tenfold, didn’t it? Now, read this.

Growing up, Alaric was all about basketball. At four years old, he was already working on his jump shot, following his older brother Antonio’s lead. “He’s a man amongst boys,” said his high school coach Lou Beatty, a statement that could’ve been about basketball if life had taken a different turn. Enter Mama Dionne. If it was up to her, Alaric would have been hitting the 3s instead of timing those tackles. Football didn’t appeal to her. “My mom wouldn’t let me play,” Jackson admitted. “She was scared and didn’t want me to get hurt.”

For years, she kept him off the gridiron. It wasn’t until his junior year of high school that she finally gave in, and Alaric suited up for the first time. Turns out, she had nothing to worry about—unless you count the defensive linemen Alaric bulldozed. “Some big guys aren’t comfortable being big, but A.J. wears it,” Beatty said. That confidence and aggression transformed Jackson into an unstoppable force on the line.

Fast forward to his NFL journey, and Jackson’s Detroit roots came full circle during his first playoff game as an LA player. Back in January ’24, the Rams-Lions playoff showdown at Ford Field, it wasn’t just another game; it was a homecoming, complete with 75 friends and family members in the stands for Jackson. “I bought like $10K of tickets, dude,” he said, shaking his head. Of course, all of them were the Lions’ fans. So, for him it was: “I love you, but right now I’m busy.” 

That was the moment Dionne’s eyes lit up with proud. She knew her son had proved her wrong. Not her wrong though, more like her fears. But that’s all on Alaric Jackson. You see, his mama might’ve been nervous at first. But now, you can bet she’s cheering the loudest—even if her seat was a pricey one.