Darrell Jackson Jr felt he learned how to be a “pro” in his final season with Florida State football.
Jackson’s physical traits have always been at a professional level, but the 6-foot-5 defensive lineman said his final season with the Seminoles allowed him to adopt the mindset needed to compete at the next level. He monitored his diet, focused on leadership, and was consistent in preparation, all of which have Jackson confident ahead of his pro day on March 27.
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It’s one of Jackson’s final chances to impress in front of a cohort of NFL scouts and executives ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in June.
“Leaving Florida State and going to the combine, it was great. I always dreamed of going to the combine when I was a child,” Jackson said. “Attacking one thing at a time, first the all-star game and then going to the combine. I feel like it was a great experience for me.”
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
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FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility.
At the NFL combine, Jackson felt he learned more about himself and what NFL teams wanted to see from him. He turned some heads with his on-field testing; however passed on doing the bench press and other athletic tests, saving those for pro day.
Jackson said he will do his broad and vertical jumps, bench press, and on-field position drills for his pro day. He dropped down to 315 pounds, down 22 pounds from his listed weight of 337 on FSU football’s roster, and said he’s moving the best he ever has in his career.
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“I wanted to drop weight, I was 335 during the season, I feel good at 315,” Jackson said. “I feel like being in shape helped me continue run after plays, chasing the ball, and everything. Just having more stamina.”
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Darrell Jackson of the Florida State Seminoles participtates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
After declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, Jackson withdrew his name to spend one final season in Tallahassee. He posted 45 tackles, three for a loss and one sack in 12 starts as the Seminoles went 5-7.
While the season results may not have fully been what Jackson wanted, he said that the experience was invaluable. He feels better prepared for the next level.
“It just taught me a lot about myself. I just wanted to be a vocal leader for my team, be someone my team can lean on even when we have adversity in the moment. … It’s been a great experience coming back,” Jackson said. “I don’t regret it.”
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Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football Darrell Jackson continues NFL Draft prep with pro day