Jackson named G5 Preseason All-American by Hero Sports

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football offensive lineman Marshall Jackson has been named a G5 Preseason All-American by HERO Sports, the publication announced Wednesday.

Jackson received Third Team Offense recognition, and he was one of just eight representatives from Conference USA on the HERO Sports G5 Preseason All-American Teams.

The Brandenburg, Kentucky, native has already been named Preseason First Team All-CUSA by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, and he was named to the 2025 CUSA Preseason Watch List. Jackson was also on the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, and he was a nominee for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Jackson started all 14 games for WKU at right tackle during the 2024 season, helping anchor the offensive line for the top passing offense in Conference USA. He was named an All-Conference USA Second Team Offense selection, as voted upon by the league’s head coaches, and was named a 2024 Phil Steele Postseason CUSA All-Conference Third Team Offense honoree at offensive tackle.

Jackson appeared in 12 of WKU’s 13 games during the 2023 season, including starts in the team’s final six games at left tackle. He helped the Hilltoppers finish second in Conference USA and tied for ninth nationally in sacks allowed with just one per game. Jackson also blocked a field goal attempt from Old Dominion with 2:53 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Famous Toastery Bowl, allowing the Hilltoppers to tie the game on their next possession to force overtime, where they eventually closed out the fourth-largest comeback ever in a bowl game, 38-35.

Jackson appeared in 12 of WKU’s 14 games in 2022 and made his first career start in the team’s regular season finale overtime victory at Florida Atlantic. He would then start the following game as well, a 44-23 win against South Alabama in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Jackson helped an offensive line unit that gave up only 14 sacks on the season. That mark was 10th-best in all of college football and second in Conference USA.

The Hilltoppers are scheduled to open the 2025 season with a Week 0 CUSA game against Sam Houston on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.