Darrell Jackson Jr. Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Robert Myers/IMAGN Images)
School: Florida State
Class: Redshirt Senior
Position: DT
HT: 6’5
WT: 337 lbs
Background: Darrell Jackson Jr. was a 3-star defensive tackle out of Havana, Florida. As a senior for Gadsden County High School, he made 23 tackles, including 5 for a loss. Jackson committed to Maryland out of high school over Miami, Tennessee, and others.
College: Jackson saw action in every game for Maryland as a true freshman in 2021, registering 22 tackles on the year. He transferred to Miami for his sophomore season, where he started every game in the 2022 campaign. He made 27 tackles to go along with 4.5 TFLs and 3 sacks. He decided to transfer yet again after his one year with the Hurricanes, this time to Florida State. He was forced to sit out and utilize his redshirt in 2023 before becoming a main fixture for the Seminoles’ defensive line in 2024. He started every game for the Seminoles that season, totaling 32 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks on his way to an All-ACC honorable mention selection. 2025 did not see the same results out of Jackson. He still impacted the game but was the focus of most team’s scouting reports in the trenches. In 2025, he was an All-ACC Honorable Mention after recording 45 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1 sack.
Strengths: Darrell Jackson Jr. has the length to dominate the interior of the line of scrimmage almost entirely on his own. His arms allow him to initiate contact in the phone booth and knock linemen off their anchor before they can even attempt to get set. He uses his length functionally to patrol multiple gaps in the run game. He gets low in his stance to establish a wide base when monitoring multiple gaps. Jackson has the length and strength to make arm tackles with offensive linemen still engaged in his frame. He has explosive hands and an upper body that is constantly working to gain leverage. His arms often overwhelm linemen and allow him to creep through the line of scrimmage and crowd the backfield.
Weaknesses: With Jackson’s size comes a lack of athleticism. He is not an elite mover and can be held back due to his slow feet. If a quarterback steps up or around the pocket, Jackson is effectively taken out of the play as he has no ability in pursuit. When Jackson doesn’t get low enough, he creates such a narrow base for opponents to exploit and knock back into the second level of the defense. While he is long, his anchor is not strong enough to handle double teams or combo blocks. He is too often washed out of plays by combo blocks.
Conclusion: Darrell Jackson Jr. is a defensive tackle who can use his size and length to win matchups, but he sacrifices a lot of athleticism along the way. If he can play with a wider base at a more consistent level, he can instantly become a nightmare matchup. His narrow base just allows opponents to gain leverage and take him out of the play too easily.
Best Team Fits: DET, CIN, LVR
Player Comparison: Deone Walker
Player Grade: Round 4 (63.6)
