Last Updated on October 15, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Matt Dickerson is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 9, 1995, in San Francisco, California, he comes from a family that has played an important role in his personal life and football career. His parents are Clarence Dickerson and Pamela Dickerson, and he has a twin sister named Megan Dickerson.
Before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dickerson played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and spent time with several NFL franchises, including the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, and Miami Dolphins. His family’s influence became particularly evident in 2014, when he decided to attend UCLA rather than Notre Dame following his father’s cancer diagnosis. Although details about his parents and sister are publicly documented, his romantic relationships and whether he has children remain private.
Who Is Matt Dickerson’s Girlfriend?
As of now, Matt Dickerson has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. Despite spending several seasons in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle has maintained a relatively private personal life.
There is no reliable public information identifying his current romantic partner or confirming that he is involved in a relationship.
Most of the available interviews and biographical information about Dickerson focus on his football career, experiences at UCLA, and the family circumstances that influenced his college decision.
He has also not publicly confirmed being married or having a wife.
Although some professional athletes regularly share details about their partners on social media, Dickerson’s relationship status has not been established through the official NFL biographies and credible interviews reviewed.
It would therefore be inaccurate to identify him as single, married, or romantically involved without reliable confirmation.
Does Matt Dickerson Have Children?
Matt Dickerson is not publicly known to have children. Neither his official Jacksonville Jaguars biography nor his college football profile at UCLA identifies him as a father.
The defensive lineman has generally kept information about his private life outside football away from public attention.
His interviews have focused primarily on his athletic development, professional opportunities, and commitment to his family.
Although Dickerson has spoken about the importance of family, there are no verified public reports confirming that he has a son or daughter.
As of now, whether Matt Dickerson has children remains unconfirmed.
Matt Dickerson’s Parents: Meet Clarence and Pamela Dickerson
Matt Dickerson’s parents are Clarence Dickerson and Pamela Dickerson. Their names are confirmed in his official UCLA football biography and in biographical information published by the Tennessee Titans.
Matt grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where his family supported his development as a student and athlete.
His father had a background in college football, while both parents became central figures in one of the most important decisions of his early career.
Matt Dickerson’s Father: Clarence Dickerson
Clarence Dickerson is Matt Dickerson’s father and a former college football player.
According to UCLA Athletics, Clarence played college football at Henderson State University in Arkansas.
His background in the sport established a football connection within the family before Matt began pursuing his own athletic career.
However, Clarence’s most widely documented influence on his son’s football journey came during the college recruiting process.
In 2013, while Matt was a highly regarded defensive line prospect at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, Clarence was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The diagnosis came at a particularly difficult time because Matt had already committed to play college football at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
Following discussions with family members and coaches, Matt decided that remaining closer to home was more important than moving across the country.
In January 2014, he withdrew his commitment to Notre Dame and announced that he would instead attend UCLA.
During an interview with MaxPreps, Dickerson explained that choosing UCLA would allow him to remain closer to his father while the family dealt with his illness.
The decision attracted attention because Notre Dame had continued supporting Dickerson despite a serious back injury that prevented him from playing during his senior high school football season.
Although changing his commitment was difficult, Matt believed staying in California was the right choice for his family.
His high school coach, Patrick Walsh, publicly supported the decision and praised the maturity Dickerson demonstrated by prioritizing his family.
Fortunately, Clarence’s cancer was detected during its early stages.
By September 2017, Matt confirmed that his father was in remission.
During the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, Dickerson discussed his decision again, explaining that staying closer to California allowed his parents to attend every UCLA home game.
Clarence’s experience therefore played an important role in shaping Matt’s college journey and reinforcing his commitment to family responsibilities.
Matt Dickerson’s Mother: Pamela Dickerson
Pamela Dickerson, also known as Pam Dickerson, is Matt Dickerson’s mother.
Her name appears in the official UCLA Athletics biography, which identifies Clarence and Pamela as the player’s parents.
Pamela lived with the family in California during Matt’s childhood and high school years.
According to a January 2014 report published by MaxPreps, Pamela was also dealing with significant health limitations around the time her husband received his prostate cancer diagnosis.
These family circumstances contributed to Matt’s decision to reconsider his original commitment to Notre Dame.
Rather than move to Indiana for college, he chose UCLA, which offered him the opportunity to continue playing at a major football program while remaining closer to his parents.
The decision reflected how much importance he placed on being available to his family during a challenging period.
In a 2018 interview reported by the Green Bay Packers, Dickerson explained that his parents were able to attend his UCLA home games because he had remained in California.
Although Pamela is publicly identified as Matt’s mother, detailed information about her professional background and personal activities has not been widely documented.
She has generally remained outside the national sports media spotlight.
Matt Dickerson’s Siblings: Meet His Twin Sister Megan Dickerson
Matt Dickerson has a twin sister named Megan Dickerson, according to the official UCLA Athletics and Jacksonville Jaguars biographies.
Megan is the only sibling specifically identified in the official player biographies reviewed.
Because Matt and Megan are twins, they share the same birth date, November 9, 1995.
Megan Dickerson
Megan Dickerson is the twin sister of NFL defensive tackle Matt Dickerson.
She grew up alongside her brother in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Matt attended Junipero Serra High School.
Their sibling relationship is documented in multiple official football biographies, including those published by UCLA and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, Megan has generally maintained a private life, and detailed verified information about her education, occupation, and personal interests is not widely available.
Unlike Matt, whose football career has placed him in the national spotlight, Megan has not been prominently featured in professional sports reporting.
Although Matt has spoken publicly about the importance of family, he has not shared extensive information about his twin sister in the major interviews reviewed.
Her name remains an established part of his family background, but additional personal details cannot be responsibly confirmed.
How Matt Dickerson’s Family Influenced His College Football Decision
One of the most significant events in Matt Dickerson’s early football career involved choosing between the University of Notre Dame and UCLA.
As a talented defensive lineman at Junipero Serra High School, Dickerson attracted attention from major college football programs.
He initially committed to Notre Dame on August 3, 2013, believing that the university offered an excellent opportunity to develop his athletic abilities.
However, his senior high school season was disrupted by a back injury involving a fracture in his lower spine.
Despite the injury, Notre Dame maintained its commitment to him.
Near the end of 2013, his father’s prostate cancer diagnosis introduced another major challenge.
Matt began reconsidering whether moving to Indiana was the best decision for himself and his family.
After discussing the situation with relatives and people close to him, he concluded that remaining in California would make it easier to support his parents.
He subsequently informed Notre Dame’s coaching staff that he would be changing his commitment.
The decision was difficult because Dickerson had developed strong relationships with the university’s coaches.
Nevertheless, he chose UCLA, where he could continue pursuing his football ambitions while remaining within traveling distance of home.
Speaking about the decision in 2017, Dickerson explained that his father’s diagnosis had significantly affected the family and reinforced his desire to stay nearby.
His choice ultimately allowed him to pursue an outstanding college football career while maintaining closer contact with his parents.
Matt Dickerson’s Early Life and Football Background
Matthew Miller Dickerson was born on November 9, 1995, in San Francisco, California.
He grew up in the San Mateo area and attended Junipero Serra High School, where he participated in football and basketball.
Although his father had played college football, Matt did not begin playing organized football until his freshman year of high school.
He quickly developed into a promising defensive lineman, earning recognition for his size, strength, and athletic ability.
As a junior, he recorded 53 tackles and four sacks and received all-league honors.
He also earned national recruiting recognition, including selection to the 2013 American Family Insurance/USA Today All-USA Second Team.
Despite missing his senior season because of a back injury, Dickerson remained a highly regarded college football prospect.
After enrolling at UCLA in 2014, he became part of the Bruins’ defensive line rotation.
He appeared in 44 games during his four-year college career, making 16 starts.
According to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he recorded 94 tackles, four passes defended, and 1.5 sacks during his time at UCLA.
He also earned academic recognition while completing his university education.
His performances eventually helped him earn an opportunity in professional football.
Matt Dickerson’s NFL Career and Family Values
Matt Dickerson entered the NFL in 2018 after signing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent.
He made his professional debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 23, 2018.
After spending three seasons with Tennessee, Dickerson continued his professional career with several other NFL franchises.
His career included opportunities with the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, and Miami Dolphins.
During the 2023 season, he was part of the Kansas City Chiefs organization when the team won Super Bowl LVIII.
In August 2025, Dickerson joined the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad.
He eventually earned a place on the active roster, appearing in eight games and starting four during the 2025 regular season.
On February 16, 2026, the Jaguars announced that they had re-signed Dickerson.
His professional journey reflects the persistence required to remain competitive in the NFL, particularly for a player who entered the league without being selected in the draft.
While his career has taken him to several cities, his earlier decision to prioritize family during the college recruiting process remains one of the most meaningful publicly documented aspects of his personal story.
Matt Dickerson’s Life Outside Football
Although Matt Dickerson maintains considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships, his official UCLA biography provides some information about his personal interests.
He enjoys fishing, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends.
These activities have been listed among his hobbies in official football biographies dating back to his college years.
His interests reflect a life outside the demanding schedule of professional football, which involves regular training, travel, and competition.
However, he has not publicly shared extensive details about his everyday family life or romantic relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matt Dickerson’s Family
Who are Matt Dickerson’s parents?
Matt Dickerson’s parents are Clarence Dickerson and Pamela Dickerson. Their names are confirmed in his official UCLA and Tennessee Titans football biographies.
Does Matt Dickerson have a girlfriend?
As of now, Matt Dickerson has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Matt Dickerson married?
There is no verified public information confirming that the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle is married or has a wife.
Does Matt Dickerson have children?
Matt Dickerson is not publicly known to have children. No reliable official source has confirmed that he has a son or daughter.
Does Matt Dickerson have siblings?
Yes. Matt Dickerson has a twin sister named Megan Dickerson, according to official college and NFL biographies.
Who is Matt Dickerson’s twin sister?
His twin sister is Megan Dickerson. Both were born on November 9, 1995. Limited public information is available about Megan’s personal life.
Who is Matt Dickerson’s father?
His father is Clarence Dickerson, a former college football player at Henderson State University in Arkansas.
Why did Matt Dickerson choose UCLA over Notre Dame?
Matt Dickerson changed his college commitment from Notre Dame to UCLA in January 2014 after his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He wanted to remain closer to his family in California.
Did Matt Dickerson’s father recover from cancer?
In 2017 and 2018 interviews, Dickerson confirmed that his father was in remission. No more recent verified medical update was established in the sources reviewed.
Where is Matt Dickerson’s family from?
Matt Dickerson was born in San Francisco and grew up in the San Mateo area of California. His family was living in Northern California during his high school years.
What is Matt Dickerson’s full name?
His full name is Matthew Miller Dickerson. He was born on November 9, 1995.
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.
