DeAira Jackson

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.

Early life 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 then transferred to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2023, becoming the primary keeper for the Antelopes soccer team. In her debut season, she started all 23 games and kept 7 clean sheets (plus 3 combined shutouts), earning second-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors. On February 12, the Pride announced the signing of Jackson on a short-term contract that lasted two and a half months.

On July 11, 2025, the Utah Royals announced that the club had signed Jackson for the remainder of the season, becoming the third-string goalkeeper behind Mandy McGlynn and Mia Justus. On December 10, she renewed with the Royals on a one-year salary cap exempt deal.

Honors and awards

Grand Canyon Antelopes WAC tournament: 2023

Individual WAC Goalkeeper of the Year: 2024 First-team All-WAC: 2024 Second-team All-WAC: 2023 Big West all-freshman team: 2021