Jackson then attended and played
college football at
University of Illinois, where he was voted an
All-American. While there, he was a
Big Ten and
Rose Bowl champion, and
lettered in
track, football,
basketball, and
baseball. In 1964, he won the Big Ten 100 yard Dash in 9.5, the 220 yard dash in 21.3, and anchored the championship 440 yard relay. He also won the NCAA 4x110 yard relay championship, set the National Collegiate Record in the 100 meter dash (10.1), won the AAU 100 meter championship and then participated in the US Olympic Trials 100 meter dash. After, he represented the
United States at the
1964 Summer Olympics in
Tokyo, Japan and became a member of
Omega Psi Phi fraternity. In 1965, he finished third at the NCAA 60 yard dash. Then, he led Illinois to the 4x440 yard relay championship at the outdoor Big Ten championship. Jackson's record for the 100 meters held at Illinois for 40 years. ==Professional sports career==