Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Jackson Woodard is an American professional football player who plays inside linebacker for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL). Born Ernest Jackson Woodard in Memphis, Tennessee, he grew up in Arkansas and played college football at the University of Arkansas and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) before entering the NFL in 2025.
Beyond his football career, Jackson Woodard comes from a supportive family that has played an important role in his athletic and academic development. His parents, Ernie and Tacy Woodard, encouraged his ambitions, while his older brother, John Woodard, introduced him to football during childhood.
Woodard has publicly discussed his parents’ influence, his relationship with his brother and the family’s life in Arkansas. However, he has shared considerably less verified information about his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
Jackson Woodard’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Jackson Woodard has not publicly confirmed whether he has a girlfriend or is currently in a romantic relationship.
The Miami Dolphins linebacker has generally kept his dating life away from public attention. Most of his interviews have focused on his football career, academic accomplishments, family background and charitable activities.
There are no sufficiently reliable public reports identifying a current girlfriend or confirming that Woodard is married.
Although fans may be interested in his personal relationships, the available information does not establish whether he is single or privately dating someone.
Consequently, his current romantic relationship status remains unconfirmed.
Jackson Woodard’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Jackson Woodard has children.
His official Miami Dolphins player profile and UNLV football biography do not identify any sons or daughters.
Woodard has also not publicly announced becoming a father in the reliable sources reviewed for this profile.
Although he regularly participates in charitable activities benefiting children, including youth football camps, these initiatives do not establish that he has children of his own.
Therefore, his parental status remains publicly unconfirmed.
Jackson Woodard’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Jackson Woodard’s parents are Ernie Woodard and Tacy Woodard, according to his official UNLV football biography.
Both parents attended the University of Arkansas, where they met before starting their family.
They raised Jackson and his older brother in Arkansas, encouraging academic achievement, athletic participation and personal responsibility.
The family also maintained a rural property near Greenbrier, Arkansas, where the children enjoyed outdoor activities and developed a love for animals.
Jackson Woodard’s Mother: Tacy Woodard
Jackson Woodard’s mother is Tacy Woodard, who has played an important role in his upbringing and personal development.
She attended the University of Arkansas, where she met her husband, Ernie.
Tacy has publicly discussed Jackson’s childhood personality, describing him as hardworking, competitive and determined to succeed.
In an August 2024 interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, she recalled how Jackson frequently followed his older brother John during childhood.
When John began playing flag football, Jackson was too young to join the team but insisted on attending games and participating from the sidelines.
His enthusiasm for sports was evident long before he became a successful college linebacker.
Tacy also emphasized the importance of academic achievement.
She explained that she expected her children to prepare thoroughly for school examinations and aim for the highest possible grades.
While she encouraged Jackson’s athletic ambitions, she placed particular importance on his classroom performance.
That influence became evident during his college career, when he earned numerous academic honors at UNLV.
Woodard graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in May 2024 and became the first football player in UNLV history to earn first-team Academic All-America recognition.
He also maintained an impressive grade-point average while balancing football responsibilities with his university studies.
His mother’s emphasis on education helped establish the academic discipline that distinguished him throughout college.
Jackson Woodard’s Father: Ernie Woodard
Jackson Woodard’s father is Ernie Woodard, whose identity is confirmed in his official UNLV football biography.
Ernie attended the University of Arkansas alongside his wife, Tacy, and helped raise their children in Arkansas.
He has been an important influence on Jackson’s work ethic and determination.
In a September 2024 interview published by UNLV, Jackson recalled one of the lessons his father repeatedly taught him during childhood.
Ernie emphasized that consistent hard work eventually produces results, encouraging Jackson to remain committed even when immediate opportunities were limited.
That advice became particularly important during Jackson’s transition from high school to college football.
Despite becoming a successful defensive player at Little Rock Christian Academy, Woodard did not initially receive a scholarship offer from the University of Arkansas.
Rather than abandoning his ambition to play for the Razorbacks, he accepted an opportunity to join the program as a preferred walk-on.
Woodard explained that he believed he could compete against scholarship players if he continued working harder and improving his abilities.
His father’s encouragement helped reinforce that determination.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Woodard trained extensively in the family’s garage, adding approximately 30 pounds of muscle before beginning his college football career.
These experiences illustrate how Ernie’s emphasis on persistence influenced his son’s athletic development.
Jackson Woodard’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Jackson Woodard has at least one publicly confirmed sibling: his older brother, John Woodard.
The brothers grew up together in Arkansas and shared an enthusiasm for sports from an early age.
John was approximately two years older than Jackson and became one of his earliest athletic inspirations.
Jackson has spoken about their childhood relationship in multiple interviews, explaining that he wanted to participate in nearly everything his older brother did.
Jackson Woodard’s Older Brother: John Woodard
John Woodard is Jackson Woodard’s older brother and one of the most important influences on his early interest in football.
According to a September 2024 feature published by UNLV, John began playing organized football when Jackson was approximately five years old.
Although Jackson was not yet old enough to join the same team, he attended his brother’s games and stood on the sidelines wearing football equipment.
Jackson later explained that watching his brother compete inspired his desire to become a football player.
When he eventually became old enough to participate in organized football, he quickly developed a passion for the sport.
John also attended the University of Arkansas, continuing a family educational tradition established by their parents.
That connection helped make the university particularly meaningful to Jackson during his high school recruitment.
Before transferring to UNLV, Jackson spent three seasons at Arkansas, fulfilling his childhood ambition to represent the Razorbacks.
John’s influence extended beyond football into the brothers’ shared childhood experiences.
In 2016, Jackson and John adopted a pet pig named Calvin after encountering someone selling piglets near their home.
According to a Las Vegas Review-Journal interview with their mother, the brothers repeatedly asked for permission to bring the animal home.
Tacy initially refused but eventually agreed after receiving photographs of the piglet.
Calvin became a memorable part of the family’s life and continued living on their Arkansas property as the brothers grew older.
The story highlights the close relationship between Jackson and John and their shared enthusiasm for animals.
Does Jackson Woodard Have Any Other Siblings?
As of now, there is no sufficiently verified public information identifying additional brothers or sisters beyond John Woodard.
Although Jackson has discussed his family in several college football interviews, those accounts do not provide a complete sibling history.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to describe him as having only one sibling without further confirmation.
Jackson Woodard’s Childhood and Family Background
Jackson Woodard was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but grew up in Arkansas, where his family established strong connections to the University of Arkansas and the surrounding community.
His childhood included spending time on the family’s property near Greenbrier, Arkansas.
The rural environment allowed him to enjoy outdoor activities, sports and caring for animals.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, the Woodard family maintained a cattle farm in the Greenbrier area.
Jackson also attended Little Rock Christian Academy, where he competed in football and baseball.
During high school, he initially considered pursuing baseball at the collegiate level because of his abilities in that sport.
However, his passion for football eventually became stronger.
During his senior season in 2019, he recorded 153 tackles, two sacks and four forced fumbles.
His performances helped establish him as a promising linebacker, although he did not initially receive the major scholarship offers he had hoped for.
Despite those challenges, he remained determined to play at the University of Arkansas.
Jackson Woodard’s Family and Their Love for Animals
One unusual aspect of Jackson Woodard’s family background is their relationship with a pet pig named Calvin.
Jackson and his brother John adopted the animal in 2016 after finding someone selling piglets near their home.
According to an August 2024 report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the brothers contacted their mother and asked whether they could bring a piglet home.
Tacy initially declined, but the brothers continued sending photographs until she agreed.
Although Calvin was initially small, he eventually grew to approximately 300 pounds.
The animal became a familiar presence on the family’s property and was treated much like their dogs.
Woodard has frequently mentioned Calvin during interviews, and the pig was included in a September 2024 feature published by UNLV.
Calvin’s story became one of the more memorable details about Woodard’s life outside football.
How Jackson Woodard’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Jackson Woodard’s journey to the NFL reflects the discipline, competitiveness and persistence encouraged by his family.
His older brother introduced him to football, while his parents emphasized academic success and the importance of working consistently toward personal goals.
After graduating from Little Rock Christian Academy in 2020, Woodard joined the University of Arkansas as a preferred walk-on.
He played three seasons with the Razorbacks, appearing in 28 games and contributing on defense and special teams.
In January 2023, Woodard transferred to UNLV, following former Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom, who had become the Rebels’ head coach.
The move proved to be an important turning point in his football career.
During the 2023 season, he recorded 117 tackles and earned first-team All-Mountain West recognition.
His performances improved further during the 2024 season, when he recorded 135 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and four interceptions.
He was subsequently named the 2024 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
Woodard also earned national recognition for his academic accomplishments and community service.
He became the first UNLV football player selected as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, an award recognizing excellence in academics, football and leadership.
Following his college career, Woodard entered the 2025 NFL Draft but was not selected.
He initially joined the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent before being claimed by the Houston Texans in May 2025.
On December 17, 2025, the Miami Dolphins signed him to their active roster from Houston’s practice squad.
As of now, Woodard continues his professional football career with Miami, wearing jersey number 42.
His progression from an overlooked high school prospect to an NFL linebacker reflects the perseverance and work ethic his parents encouraged throughout childhood.
Jackson Woodard’s Academic Achievements and Family Values
Education has been another important part of Jackson Woodard’s life.
In addition to his football accomplishments, he developed an impressive academic record during college.
Woodard graduated from UNLV with a degree in kinesiology in May 2024.
He maintained a 3.77 grade-point average and earned first-team Academic All-America recognition.
His academic achievements also reflected the influence of his mother, who emphasized preparing thoroughly for examinations and striving for excellent grades.
Woodard originally considered attending dental school and becoming an oral surgeon, partly because of his family’s connections to the dentistry profession.
However, during his final college season, he expressed growing interest in pursuing a coaching career after retiring from professional football.
He explained that working with younger players and helping them develop would allow him to remain connected to the sport he loves.
His family values also influenced his charitable activities, including organizing youth football camps in Arkansas and participating in community initiatives around Las Vegas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jackson Woodard’s Family
Who is Jackson Woodard’s girlfriend?
As of now, Jackson Woodard has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. His current romantic relationship status remains unconfirmed.
Is Jackson Woodard married?
There is no sufficiently verified public information establishing that the Miami Dolphins linebacker is married.
Does Jackson Woodard have children?
There are no verified public reports confirming that Jackson Woodard has children.
Who is Jackson Woodard’s mother?
Jackson Woodard’s mother is Tacy Woodard, who attended the University of Arkansas and encouraged her son’s academic and athletic development.
Who is Jackson Woodard’s father?
His father is Ernie Woodard, who attended the University of Arkansas and taught Jackson the importance of hard work and persistence.
Does Jackson Woodard have siblings?
Yes. Jackson Woodard has an older brother named John Woodard, who introduced him to football during childhood. Additional siblings have not been reliably identified.
Who is Jackson Woodard’s brother?
His older brother is John Woodard, who attended the University of Arkansas and helped inspire Jackson’s interest in playing football.
What is Jackson Woodard’s full name?
His full name is Ernest Jackson Woodard, according to his official UNLV football biography.
Where was Jackson Woodard born?
Jackson Woodard was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but grew up in Arkansas and attended Little Rock Christian Academy.
How old is Jackson Woodard?
Jackson Woodard is 24 years old as of now, according to his official Miami Dolphins player profile.
Where did Jackson Woodard play college football?
He played college football at the University of Arkansas from 2020 through 2022 before transferring to UNLV for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Does Jackson Woodard’s family own a pig?
Jackson and his brother John adopted a pet pig named Calvin in 2016. The animal lived on their family’s property near Greenbrier, Arkansas.
Which NFL team does Jackson Woodard play for?
Jackson Woodard plays inside linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, who signed him from the Houston Texans’ practice squad on December 17, 2025.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
