The Florida State Seminoles had two players taken in the 2025 NFL draft, a number they are looking to surpass in the 2026 edition. One of their top prospects is defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr., the top returning player on the team.
He actually declared for the 2025 draft, where he surely would have been taken, before deciding to return to Tallahassee for one final season. He returned for a variety of reasons, but one was because he “felt like I left a lot on the table.”
It is hard to argue with that sentiment, perhaps the biggest knock on his last year was his consistency. He finished the year with 30 pressures, but had six weeks with one or zero pressures. If he can improve his consistency, then he has a shot to boost his draft stock and be an early-round selection.
He is already starting at a strong place. Dane Brugler of The Athletic recently ranked him as the fourth-best senior defensive tackle prospect for the 2026 NFL draft.
Jackson flashed plenty of times last year, finishing the year with 32 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. That was good enough to earn a 70.4 PFF grade, the second-highest of any FSU defensive player to play in all 12 games.
If Jackson can improve his consistency and leadership, something he is working on, then he has a great shot to move up those rankings when it is time for the draft.
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