On Tuesday, March 11, it was reported that former Villanova running back Jalen Jackson will sign with the United Football League’s (UFL) Memphis Showboats. The news was first reported by James Larsen on X (formerly Twitter).
Jackson is now officially listed on Memphis’ roster.
Breaking: The Memphis Showboats are signing RB Jalen Jackson, per sources.
Jackson, the Villanova product, recorded 2,546 yards & 26 TD’s in college. In 2023, he earned Second Team All-CAA honors. Was recently with the #Jaguars. @USFLShowboats with another solid pickup. #UFL pic.twitter.com/8Lv8js5yjE
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) March 11, 2025
Jackson went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent the season on Jacksonville’s practice squad behind a crowded running back room after a promising preseason.
During his time at Villanova, Jackson rushed for 2,546 yards and 26 touchdowns. In 2023 during his final season in college, he ran for 981 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards a carry.
His 2023 performance earned him All-CAA Second-Team honors.
As of right now, Jackson is listed as one of five running backs on the Showboats’ roster. He will compete for snaps against DeWayne McBride, Deneric Prince, DeAndre Torrey and Jacob Kibodi.
Memphis finished 2-8 last season in 2024 and missed the playoffs.
The UFL is made up of eight teams that play during the spring, which is opposite of the familiar NFL schedule. It was created in 2023 by merging two spring football leagues – the United States Football League (USFL) and the XFL.
The league provides players with an opportunity to get playing time that they might not have in the NFL.
Jackson, who is listed as 5’9 and 216 pounds, will have the chance to prove his skills and possibly rejoin an NFL team in the future.
He will wear No. 36 – the number he wore at the start of his Villanova career.
