DeAira Jackson (born March 23, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who most recently played as a goalkeeper for the Orlando Pride 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 and college career.
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 one season of football as a kicker.
Cal State Fullerton.
Jackson matriculated to California State University, Fullerton, in 2020 after graduating early, but her first season was cancelled that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She played 16 games, starting 10 of them, throughout 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.
Grand Canyon.
Jackson 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. She helped them win the 2023 WAC tournament and was named to the all-tournament team. She made 5 saves in a 1–0 defeat to USC in the NCAA tournament, allowing only a goal from the penalty spot. In her senior season in 2024, she started all 20 games and kept 9 clean sheets, being named first-team All-WAC and the WAC Goalkeeper of the Year.
Club career.
Jackson was invited to train as a non-roster trialist with the Orlando Pride in the 2025 preseason. On February 12, 2025, Orlando announced Jackon's signing on a short-term contract that lasted two and a half months.