The Seminoles continue their streak of producing pro level talent as the nose tackle is off the board.
Florida State football continued its 42-year streak of producing an NFL Draft talent Saturday.
This time Darrell Jackson will represent the Seminoles at the next level.
The powerful nose tackle landed at 103rd overall to the New York Jets in the fourth round of the draft Saturday.
The Seminoles star still watched nine other interior defensive linemen get taken ahead of him. Caleb Banks of in-state rival Florida became the first IDL taken at No. 18 to the Minnesota Vikings.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder entered the draft process dedicated to transforming his body. He once played at near 340-pounds in the defensive trenches with FSU. But he showed up lighter and quicker, helping boost his draft stock in the process.
"I feel like being in shape helps me continue to run after the play, chase the ball, just have more stamina," Jackson said to reporters in late March during his draft preparation. "So that helps."
Jackson received a round four grade by NFL Network draft expert Lance Zierlein before the weekend festivities. He also tabbed him as a prospect who has the "traits or talents to be an above average backup" while handing him a 6.00 grade.
"While he’s an enormous interior presence with impressive physical features, Jackson’s inconsistencies are partially rooted in flawed fundamentals and technique," Zierlein wrote. "He plays too upright and with inconsistent base width/block take-on, making him more easily cleared from gaps. He might never become a tree stump at the point, but he could see vast improvement in his shed-and-control with quicker hands, improved upper-body power and a full-time move to odd-front end."
Zierlein saw mixed results when watching Jackson on film.
"The tape is uneven with a floor of average backup, but Jackson’s size and length could be considered unmined gold by some teams," he said.
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report took a liking to Jackson in his pre-draft evaluation.
"Darrell Jackson Jr. has several physically dominant reps as a run defender on film to be a gap-filler in the middle of an NFL defensive line. His combination of size (6'5", 315 pounds) and strength can help him be an immediate contributor on early downs at the next level," Holder wrote.
Holder adds how Jackson is "strong and violent at the point of attack when taking on blocks against the run. Has plenty of knockback power and can stand up offensive linemen with his upper body strength."
Jackson now joins Braden Fiske as the last two interior defensive linemen from FSU to get drafted.
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