Darrell Jackson Jr.

NFL Draft Profile: Darrell Jackson Jr.

Position: Defensive Tackle (NT/0-1 Tech) | School: Florida State | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'5" | Weight: 337 lbs | Archetype: Run Stopper

College Career Summary

Darrell Jackson Jr. enters the 2026 NFL Draft process as one of the most physically imposing interior defenders in the country. His journey was a road map of the modern transfer era: starting at Maryland (2021), moving to Miami (2022), and finally landing at Florida State. After a frustrating 2023 where he was forced to sit out the regular season due to NCAA transfer rules—appearing only in the Orange Bowl—Jackson took over the starting nose tackle role in 2024 and 2025. He served as the primary "anchor" for a Seminoles defense that transitioned through significant roster turnover, establishing himself as a high-floor run defender with elite measurables.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 50

• Total Tackles: 129

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 12.0

• Sacks: 7.5

• Forced Fumbles: 1

• 2025 Production: 45 Tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 Sack

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
Georgia Tech	3 Tackles	B-	Heavy workload early; held the point but lacked backfield penetration.
Boston College	4 Tackles	B	Solid anchor against a run-heavy scheme; showed high Stamina.
Memphis	3 Tackles, 1.0 Sack	A-	Best pass-rush rep of the year; physically overwhelmed the center.
California	2 Tackles	B	Gap-disciplined; allowed FSU linebackers to play clean.
@ SMU	4 Tackles, 0.5 TFL	B+	High-effort pursuit for a man of his size; displayed great Motor.
Clemson	3 Tackles	C+	Struggles with leverage against double-teams; "bent high" too often.
@ Duke	2 Tackles	C	Neutralized by quick-pass rhythm; limited impact on the stat sheet.
@ Miami (FL)	5 Tackles	B	Emotional game; played with high Competitor drive against his old team.
North Carolina	3 Tackles	B-	Consistent but unremarkable; "dirty work" player this week.
@ Notre Dame	1 Tackle	D+	Lowest impact of the season; struggled with Notre Dame's lateral speed.
Charleston So.	6 Tackles, 1.5 TFL	A	Total dominance against lower-tier competition; played like a Star.
@ Florida	6 Tackles	B+	Strong finale; anchored well in a hostile environment despite the loss.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Massive Frame: At 6'5" and 337 lbs, he looks exactly like an NFL nose tackle. His length allows him to keep blockers at bay and "peek" into the backfield.

• Anchor Power: When he plays with a low base, he is a house that cannot be moved. He is a premier "gap-eater" who demands double-teams on every snap.

• High Motor: Unusual for a man of his size to see him chasing plays 10 yards downfield. He rarely quits on a rep, scoring high in Stamina.

• Bull Rush Potential: He can forklift interior linemen into the quarterback's lap when he times his punch correctly.

Weaknesses

• Inconsistent Leverage: His greatest weakness is his height. At 6'5", he naturally sits higher than most centers. If he doesn't win the "low man" battle early, he can be displaced.

• Limited Pass-Rush Bag: He is almost exclusively a power rusher. He lacks the Agility and refined "tool bag" (swim/rip moves) to be a consistent 3-down threat.

• Technique Over Reliance: Often relies on his sheer size rather than hand-fighting technique, which may lead to a steep learning curve against NFL-caliber guards.

Scheme Fit: Ideal 0-Technique (Nose) in a 3-4 front or a 1-Technique in a heavy 4-3 "Under" scheme.

NFL Comparison: D.J. Jones / Johnathan Hankins

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 16/20 | Physical Tools: 19/20 | Attributes: 15/20 | Athleticism: 15/20 | IQ: 15/20

Final Grade: 80/100

Darrell Jackson Jr. is a "floor" prospect. You know exactly what you are getting: a massive, durable interior presence who will immediately improve a team's run defense. While he lacks the "flash" of a Peter Woods or the elite production of a Kayden McDonald, his physical dimensions are rare. Because he plays a specialized role (Run Stopper) and lacks high-end sack numbers, his positional value is slightly lower, but a team needing an anchor will value him highly.

Draft Projection: 3rd - 4th Round