Darrell Jackson Jr. is a defensive tackle and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who played his final two seasons at Florida State after previous stops at Maryland and Miami. A native of Havana, Florida, Jackson was a three-star recruit in the 2021 class who signed with Maryland, where he appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman and recorded 22 tackles in a rotational role. He transferred to Miami ahead of 2022 and stepped immediately into the starting lineup, recording 27 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks in 12 starts for the Hurricanes. He transferred again to Florida State ahead of 2023 but was held out of the regular season by NCAA transfer rules, appearing only in the Orange Bowl against Georgia. Once eligible in 2024, Jackson started all 12 games and posted 32 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble while earning All-ACC Honorable Mention and the Bobby Bowden Leadership Award. He earned the same honors in 2025 with 45 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and a sack across 12 starts, finishing his career with 129 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 55 games.
Measured at 6 feet 5 inches and approximately 315 to 337 pounds, Jackson posted the longest wingspan by a defensive tackle at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in 27 years at 86 inches and had the largest hands by any player at the event in over a decade at 11 inches. Those physical dimensions are rare at the interior defensive line position and give him natural advantages as a two-gap space occupier who can control blockers, disrupt run lanes, and reach the quarterback from inside with his exceptional length. His run defense is the primary driver of his evaluation, as he absorbs blocks with outstanding leverage and rarely concedes ground at the point of attack. The concerns are a high pad level that can lead to losing leverage battles, inconsistent tackling technique, and a limited pass-rush arsenal. He projects as a mid Day 2 selection with immediate value as a run-stuffer and the tools to develop into a starting three-down interior defender with the right coaching.
