The Seminoles have multiple defenders who could become national names by the end of the season but this defensive tackle is one to watch out for.
Florida State’s roster is packed with players who have the potential to become breakout stars as the season progresses. Yet, no one among the Seminoles seems to excite the fanbase more than redshirt junior defensive tackle Darrell Jackson.
With a lot of potential, Jackson is entering week 0 with a chip on his shoulder after an outdated NCAA transfer rule kept him from playing in FSU’s first 13 games in 2023. He finally made his debut in the Orange Bowl but faced an uneven playing field under the circumstances.
Jackson is gaining national recognition after being included on Bruce Feldman’s annual ‘Freak’ list this month, alongside teammate Joshua Farmer. The Athletic’s reporter noted the 6-foot-5, 330-pound defensive tackle as one of ten non-quarterbacks who could influence the College Football Playoff race, and it’s easy to see why. Notably, Jackson is the only ACC player on the list.
“The Seminoles had a dominant defense in 2023, but they lost Braden Fiske and Jared Verse to the NFL. Together, they were a force with 21.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks,” Feldman remarked. “Jackson stands out as a unique player. At 6-foot-5 and 328 pounds, with 11-inch hands and 36-inch arms, he’s impressive. The Miami transfer started 12 games for the Hurricanes in 2022, contributing 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks before sitting out last season. He has shown fantastic potential at FSU, earning rave reviews from coaches. He’s clocked in at 20.6 mph in pads and can team up with fellow standout Joshua Farmer to create major challenges for opposing quarterbacks.”
It’s clear why Jackson is a popular choice to make waves in college football this year, with his physical traits and athletic skills being particularly eye-catching. He boasts 36-inch arms and 11-inch hands, can squat over 600 pounds, bench over 400 pounds, and has recorded speeds of 20.6 mph while fully padded. That’s truly remarkable.
Jackson’s consistency has been a work in progress since his arrival at Florida State, but he appears to be progressing well this preseason. Head coach Mike Norvell highlighted Jackson’s ability to handle unexpected challenges as an example to the team about overcoming adversity.
“I know he’s really excited. Darrell has put in a lot of effort, and I used him as an example for the team recently. Life can throw curveballs at you,” Norvell said after practice on Wednesday. “He was initially expecting to play last year, but when that didn’t happen, he kept working on improving himself and preparing for his opportunity. He got to play in the last game of the previous season, but there are complexities when you’re thrown in for just one game. Now he’s had the entire offseason to build chemistry with his teammates and understand his role. He’s really progressed, playing fast and trusting the techniques and fundamentals he’s been taught.”
A Florida native, Jackson signed with Maryland as a three-star recruit in the 2021 class and played one season as a rotational player before transferring to Miami. He started all 12 games for the Hurricanes in 2022 and registered two tackles and a tackle for loss against Florida State. Over his career, he has played in 26 games, with 14 starts, totaling 52 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass breakup.
Jackson’s “revenge tour” begins Saturday when Florida State faces Georgia Tech at noon EST, a game that will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
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