DeAira Jackson

About

DeAira “DJ” Jackson (born March 23, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Cal State Fullerton Titans and the Grand Canyon Antelopes.

Jackson grew up in Fontana, California, one of two daughters born to James Jackson and Regena Weatherford. She attended Rancho Cucamonga High School, where she played soccer, track and field as a hurdler, and football as a kicker for one season.

Jackson enrolled in California State University, Fullerton, in 2020 after graduating high school early, but her first season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She went on to play in 16 games, starting 10 of them, over the next two seasons with the Fullerton Titans. She was named to the Big West Conference all-freshman team in 2021. She also began training in rugby sevens after winning Next Olympic Hopeful, a TV show organized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Jackson then transferred to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2023, becoming the primary keeper for the Antelopes soccer team. In her debut season…