Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Austin Jackson is an American professional football player who plays as an offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL). Known for his size, athleticism and determination, Jackson developed into a first-round NFL Draft selection after an impressive college football career at the University of Southern California. Away from football, his close relationship with his family, particularly his younger sister, has attracted considerable public attention.
Born on August 11, 1999, in Sacramento, California, Jackson grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, with his mother, Lavonna Buckhanan, and younger sister, Autumn Jackson. He also comes from a family with professional football connections through his grandfather, Melvin Jackson, who played for the Green Bay Packers. His decision to donate bone marrow to his sister in 2019 became one of the most meaningful stories of his football career. Here is what is publicly known about Austin Jackson’s girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
Austin Jackson’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Austin Jackson has not publicly confirmed whether he is currently in a romantic relationship. The Miami Dolphins offensive tackle generally maintains privacy regarding his dating life, with most interviews focusing on football, family and charitable activities.
However, previous reporting confirms that Jackson had a girlfriend during his college football career at USC.
In February 2020, NFL.com published a detailed feature about Jackson’s decision to donate bone marrow to his younger sister, Autumn.
The report explained that Jackson spent part of his recovery from the July 2019 procedure at his girlfriend’s home.
Although the article established that he was in a relationship at that time, it did not identify his girlfriend by name or confirm whether the relationship continued afterward.
Consequently, the identity of his current partner remains uncertain.
Who Is McKayla Rain?
Some online reference pages identify a woman named McKayla Rain as Austin Jackson’s girlfriend.
However, that identification has not been independently corroborated through a reliable interview, official announcement or established news report.
As a result, the reported relationship cannot be presented as confirmed information.
There is also no reliable public announcement establishing that Jackson is engaged or married.
As of now, his current relationship status remains private.
Austin Jackson’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
Publicly verified information about Austin Jackson’s children remains limited.
Several online reference pages claim that the Miami Dolphins offensive lineman has a son who was born in 2023.
However, that information has not been independently confirmed through an official player interview, a reliable news report or a public announcement from Jackson.
Consequently, the claim should not be treated as an established fact.
There are also no independently verified details concerning the reported child’s name or exact date of birth.
As of now, Jackson’s parental status cannot be confirmed with confidence from reliable public sources.
Austin Jackson’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Austin Jackson grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where his mother played a central role in raising him and his younger sister.
His mother is Lavonna Buckhanan, whose identity was confirmed in a detailed NFL.com family interview published in February 2020.
The same report also discussed Jackson’s stepfather, Steven, although his full name was not established.
Lavonna Buckhanan – Austin Jackson’s Mother
Lavonna Buckhanan is Austin Jackson’s mother and one of the most important figures in his personal life.
She raised Austin and his younger sister, Autumn, while managing the medical challenges associated with Autumn’s rare blood disorder.
According to NFL.com, Lavonna moved from Sacramento, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, where she spent part of her children’s childhood raising them as a single mother.
The family initially lived away from many of their extended relatives, making the transition particularly challenging.
During those years, Lavonna worked to provide financial security while ensuring that both children received the care and support they needed.
Her responsibilities became especially demanding because Autumn was diagnosed with Diamond-Blackfan anemia shortly after birth.
How Lavonna Buckhanan Raised Her Children
Lavonna’s childhood experiences as a parent helped shape Austin’s protective relationship with his younger sister.
In the February 2020 NFL.com interview, she described how Austin developed a strong sense of responsibility at an unusually young age.
When the family lived in neighborhoods where she had safety concerns, Austin regularly checked that their apartment doors and windows were locked.
Lavonna also recalled placing an old pair of her son’s large shoes outside their apartment door to create the impression that an adult man was at home.
The experience reflected the challenges associated with raising two children while living away from extended family support.
Although Lavonna wanted Austin to enjoy his childhood without worrying excessively about family responsibilities, his protective personality remained an important part of his character.
Lavonna Buckhanan Supported Her Daughter’s Medical Treatment
Lavonna faced additional challenges because Autumn required ongoing medical care from infancy.
According to NFL.com, Autumn was born on May 18, 2001, and was diagnosed with Diamond-Blackfan anemia approximately eight weeks later.
The condition affects the body’s ability to produce enough red blood cells.
As Autumn grew older, her medical needs became increasingly complicated, eventually requiring regular blood transfusions.
Lavonna worked to manage her daughter’s treatment while continuing to support Austin’s education and athletic ambitions.
Her experience also influenced the family’s decision to pursue a bone marrow transplant in 2019.
When Austin was identified as a suitable donor, Lavonna faced the emotional challenge of watching both children undergo medical procedures.
She later explained that the experience was stressful because she worried about the health of both her son and daughter.
Nevertheless, the procedure became an important turning point for the family.
Austin Jackson’s Biological Father
Information about Austin Jackson’s biological father remains limited in reliable public sources.
Although his family has a history of professional football through his grandfather, Melvin Jackson, established reporting does not conclusively identify his biological father’s full name.
The February 2020 NFL.com family feature focused primarily on his mother, sister and stepfather.
As of now, his biological father’s name, occupation and personal background have not been independently established through reliable reporting.
Steven – Austin Jackson’s Stepfather
Austin Jackson also has a stepfather identified as Steven in NFL.com’s February 2020 family feature.
Steven described the close relationship between Austin and Autumn, explaining that Austin appeared unusually sensitive to his younger sister’s feelings and physical condition.
He observed that the siblings had developed a strong understanding of each other during childhood.
Although Steven’s involvement in the family’s life is documented, his full surname, occupation and additional biographical details have not been independently established.
Austin Jackson’s Siblings: Meet His Younger Sister Autumn Jackson
Austin Jackson has one publicly confirmed sibling: his younger sister, Autumn Jackson.
Autumn has been an important part of his personal life and became nationally known after Austin donated bone marrow to help treat her rare medical condition.
Their relationship has been documented by USC Athletics, NFL.com, ESPN and the Miami Dolphins.
Autumn Jackson – Austin Jackson’s Younger Sister
Autumn Jackson was born on May 18, 2001, making her approximately 21 months younger than Austin.
She grew up alongside her brother in Phoenix, Arizona, where they developed an especially close relationship.
According to an August 2019 interview published by USC Athletics, Autumn considered Austin her best friend.
The two spent considerable time together during childhood, sharing interests in sports and other activities.
Autumn participated in track and field and volleyball before her medical condition made competitive athletics increasingly difficult.
Despite those challenges, her brother continued encouraging her and supporting her medical treatment.
What Medical Condition Does Autumn Jackson Have?
Autumn Jackson was diagnosed with Diamond-Blackfan anemia, a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow’s production of red blood cells.
According to USC Athletics, she was diagnosed shortly after birth and experienced medical complications throughout childhood.
Her condition initially required medication and later regular blood transfusions.
As she grew older, the effectiveness of some treatments declined, and doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant.
The family began searching for a suitable donor, with Austin volunteering to undergo testing.
Medical examinations eventually established that he was a perfect match for his younger sister.
Why Austin Jackson Donated Bone Marrow to His Sister
In July 2019, Austin Jackson underwent a bone marrow donation procedure at Phoenix Children’s Hospital to help his sister.
At the time, he was preparing for his junior season at USC and had established himself as one of the university’s leading offensive linemen.
The procedure required doctors to extract bone marrow from his hip bones.
According to NFL.com, approximately 1.4 liters of marrow were collected during an operation lasting more than three hours.
The donated marrow was subsequently transferred to Autumn.
The procedure represented a significant personal sacrifice because Austin was expected to resume demanding football training shortly afterward.
However, he explained that helping his sister was more important than concerns about his athletic development.
His decision attracted national attention and became one of the most widely reported stories surrounding the 2020 NFL Draft.
How Autumn Jackson Recovered After the Transplant
Following the bone marrow transplant, Autumn began recovering under medical supervision.
According to USC’s April 2020 feature, her body gradually began producing healthy blood cells following the procedure.
She was discharged from the hospital after approximately 20 days, earlier than initially expected.
In an August 2021 interview with Miami television station WSVN, Austin said that his sister had recovered well and was no longer attending the same frequent medical appointments.
He also began using his NFL platform to encourage people to register as potential bone marrow donors.
Although Autumn’s recovery was positively documented in those reports, her current medical status has not been established through recent public statements.
Does Austin Jackson Have a Brother?
There is no publicly verified information confirming that Austin Jackson has a brother.
His family interviews and official player profiles consistently identify Autumn as his younger sister.
However, these sources do not provide a complete family register establishing whether additional siblings exist.
As of now, Autumn remains his only publicly confirmed sibling.
Austin Jackson’s Grandfather: Former NFL Player Melvin Jackson
Austin Jackson also has an important family connection to professional football through his grandfather, Melvin Jackson.
Melvin previously played college football at the University of Southern California and later competed in the NFL.
His identity as Austin’s grandfather is confirmed by USC Athletics and Pro-Football-Reference.
Melvin Jackson’s College Football Career
Melvin Jackson played offensive tackle at USC during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.
He was part of the Trojans team that won the national championship following the 1974 season.
During the 1975 campaign, he received USC’s Lineman of the Year Award.
He also earned the university’s Football Alumni Club Award for the team’s highest cumulative academic performance.
His achievements helped establish a family connection with USC long before Austin joined the university.
Melvin Jackson’s NFL Career
The Green Bay Packers selected Melvin Jackson in the 12th round of the 1976 NFL Draft.
He subsequently played five seasons with the Packers, from 1976 through 1980.
His experience as a professional offensive lineman provided Austin with an example of what was required to succeed in the NFL.
During an April 2020 interview reported by Sports Illustrated, Austin explained that his grandfather had encouraged him to work consistently and approach football with discipline.
He also acknowledged that some technical aspects of offensive line play had changed since his grandfather’s playing days.
Nevertheless, Melvin’s advice about preparation and professionalism remained valuable throughout Austin’s development.
Austin Jackson’s Childhood and Family Background
Austin Jackson was born in Sacramento, California, before moving with his family to Phoenix, Arizona.
He attended North Canyon High School, where he became an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and track and field.
During high school, Jackson played offensive tackle and defensive end, demonstrating his size and athletic versatility.
According to USC Athletics, he recorded 80 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and four sacks during his senior football season in 2016.
He also competed in the shot put and discus, becoming one of the leading throwers in Arizona high school athletics.
His performances attracted scholarship offers from major college football programs.
Jackson eventually committed to USC, where his grandfather had previously played.
How Austin Jackson’s Family Influenced His College Career
Austin Jackson joined the University of Southern California in 2017.
He appeared in all 14 games during his freshman season, primarily contributing as a reserve offensive lineman and on special teams.
In 2018, he became USC’s starting left tackle and started all 12 games.
His development established him as one of the program’s most promising offensive players.
However, his preparation for the 2019 season was interrupted by the bone marrow donation procedure for his sister.
After undergoing surgery in July, Jackson experienced physical discomfort and needed time to recover before returning to football training.
Despite the challenges, he returned to the field and started all 13 games during his junior season.
His performances earned first-team All-Pac-12 recognition.
USC also presented him with the Chris Carlisle Courage Award, recognizing his determination and character.
His successful return demonstrated his ability to balance family responsibilities with the demands of major college football.
Austin Jackson’s NFL Career With the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins selected Austin Jackson in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 18th overall pick.
His selection represented the fulfillment of a childhood ambition and an important milestone for his family.
He began his professional career as Miami’s starting left tackle, making his NFL debut against the New England Patriots on September 13, 2020.
Over the following seasons, Jackson gained experience at multiple offensive line positions, including tackle and guard.
His breakthrough came during the 2023 season, when he established himself as a dependable right tackle.
In December 2023, Miami signed him to a three-year contract extension reportedly worth $36 million.
However, injuries affected his availability during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
In March 2026, Jackson agreed to a restructured contract that kept him with the Dolphins for the 2026 season.
As of now, Jackson remains a member of Miami’s offensive line, wearing jersey number 73.
How Austin Jackson Helps Raise Awareness About Bone Marrow Donation
Austin Jackson’s decision to help his sister had an influence on his charitable activities after entering the NFL.
In August 2021, he participated in efforts to raise awareness about bone marrow donor registration.
During an interview with WSVN, Jackson explained that his experience demonstrated the importance of identifying suitable donors for people living with serious blood disorders.
He encouraged members of the public to learn about donor registries and consider whether they could help patients who needed transplants.
His involvement helped draw attention to the challenges faced by patients whose relatives are not suitable matches.
The initiative also demonstrated how Jackson used his professional football platform to support an issue that had directly affected his family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Austin Jackson’s Family
Who is Austin Jackson’s girlfriend?
Austin Jackson was reported to have a girlfriend during his college football career in 2019. However, her identity and his current relationship status have not been independently confirmed through reliable reporting.
Is McKayla Rain Austin Jackson’s girlfriend?
Some online reference pages identify McKayla Rain as his girlfriend, but the claim has not been corroborated by a reliable interview or official announcement.
Is Austin Jackson married?
As of now, there is no verified public announcement confirming that Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Austin Jackson is married.
Does Austin Jackson have children?
Some online reference pages claim that Jackson has a son born in 2023. However, his parental status has not been independently confirmed through reliable public sources.
Who is Austin Jackson’s mother?
Austin Jackson’s mother is Lavonna Buckhanan, who raised him and his younger sister in Phoenix, Arizona.
Who is Austin Jackson’s father?
His biological father’s identity has not been reliably established. NFL.com identified a stepfather named Steven in a February 2020 family interview.
Does Austin Jackson have siblings?
Yes. Austin Jackson has a younger sister named Autumn Jackson, whose relationship with him is confirmed by USC Athletics and the NFL.
Who is Austin Jackson’s sister?
His sister is Autumn Jackson, who was born on May 18, 2001, and was diagnosed with Diamond-Blackfan anemia during infancy.
Why did Austin Jackson donate bone marrow to his sister?
Jackson donated bone marrow in July 2019 because his younger sister needed a transplant to treat Diamond-Blackfan anemia. Medical testing established that he was a suitable donor.
Did Autumn Jackson recover after the transplant?
Yes. Reports published in 2020 and 2021 documented a successful recovery, with Austin explaining that his sister no longer required the same frequent medical appointments. Her current medical status has not been publicly verified.
Does Austin Jackson have a brother?
No brother has been independently identified through established reporting. Autumn is his only publicly confirmed sibling.
Who is Austin Jackson’s grandfather?
His grandfather is Melvin Jackson, a former USC offensive lineman who played five seasons for the Green Bay Packers from 1976 to 1980.
Where was Austin Jackson born?
Austin Jackson was born on August 11, 1999, in Sacramento, California, United States.
How old is Austin Jackson?
Austin Jackson is 27 years old.
Where did Austin Jackson go to high school?
He attended North Canyon High School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he competed in football, basketball and track and field.
Where did Austin Jackson play college football?
Austin Jackson played college football at the University of Southern California from 2017 to 2019, earning first-team All-Pac-12 recognition during his final season.
Which NFL team does Austin Jackson play for?
As of now, Austin Jackson plays offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins, who selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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.
