Former Volunteer and Nashville native Theo Jackson found the first interception of his NFL career on Thursday night in Philadelphia.
With the Eagles beginning a drive following a recovered fumble on the Vikings’ punt return, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts looked for receiver DeVonta Smith deep across the middle of the field on 3rd and 16. Jackson and another Vikings defender converged on the ball as the former Vol came down with the diving interception from the safety position.
Jackson’s first-recorded interception on Thursday night helped give the Vikings an advantage despite Minnesota running back Alexander Mattison losing a fumble just a few plays later.
.@Vikings INT! @theo_jackson05 with the steal 🚨#MINvsPHI on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/eMkDgB2kEz pic.twitter.com/KuaBL9QC0z— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2023
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Jackson, a native of Nashville, TN, was a versatile member of Tennessee’s secondary from 2017-2021. Jackson’s leadership on the defensive side of the ball helped the Vols transition through two different coaching staff changes after his freshman year (Butch Jones, 2017) and his senior year (Jeremy Pruitt, 2020).
Theo Jackson recorded a total of 190 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown in his five-year career on Rocky Top. Jackson’s lone touchdown came during the 2021 regular-season finale against Vanderbilt in Knoxville. Jackson intercepted Vanderbilt quarterback Mike Wright and took it to the house on the ‘Dores first drive of the game.
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📲 https://t.co/NoQvddi9CK pic.twitter.com/w6vEONrGeW— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 27, 2021
Jackson was drafted to his hometown team of the Tennessee Titans in the 6th round of the 2022 NFL Draft and spent just over a month on the Titans’ practice squad from September to October. Then, in October 2022, Jackson was signed off of the Titans’ practice squad by the Minnesota Vikings.
Jackson recorded nine tackles in 11 games for the Vikings during his rookie season in 2022.
The Eagles currently lead the Vikings 10-7 in the second quarter at the time of this publication.
