Florida State's massive defensive tackle, Darrell Jackson Jr., brings imposing size and long arms. Will Tampa Bay select him in the later rounds of the NFL draft?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are likely to emphasize defense in this year’s NFL draft, and this includes the defensive line.
The Bucs will make their opening selection at No. 15 this Thursday night. Tampa Bay owns seven picks, including three in the top 100.
BucsRoundtable is taking a closer look at potential fits for the Bucs, with respect to the current roster, positions of need, and the X's and O's of the team's on-field schemes.
Bucs Roundtable's previous profiles of top defensive talent in the 2026 draft include defensive ends Cashius Howell from Texas A&M and Miami Hurricane Akheem Mesidor as well as elite linebackers like Indiana's Aiden Fisher and Georgia's CJ Allen.
Here, we feature Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr.
Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr. stuffs Duke QB Maalik Murphy during the Seminoles' 23-16 loss to the Blue Devils on Oct. 18, 2024, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. (Jaylynn Nash/Imagn Images)Leaner and Mean
The first thing many people look at when evaluating interior defensive linemen is their size, and Jackson has plenty of it. At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, Jackson has an above-average build for a defensive tackle.
When Jackson played at Florida State, he was even bigger, weighing in at 335 pounds before slimming down ahead of FSU’s Pro Day late last month.
Perhaps the most impressive feature is Jackson's arms. They are 34.75 inches, almost two inches longer than the average NFL DL.
Florida State DL Darrell Jackson Jr. pressures Charleston Southern QB Kaleb Jackson during FSU's 41-7 win over the Buccaneers on Nov. 23, 2024, in Tallahassee. (Melina Myers/Imagn Images)Background & College Career
Not many people have been on both ends of the Florida State-Miami rivalry, but Jackson is one of them. The Havana, Florida, native started his career at Maryland in 2021, where he played in 13 games (one start) as a true freshman, making 22 tackles.
Jackson then transferred to Miami, where he became a regular starter. He ended the 2022 season with 27 tackles, three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. Jackson transferred to Florida State in 2023, but wasn’t allowed to play in the regular season because he didn’t come to FSU through the transfer portal and had already transferred once before.
In 2024, Jackson got his first real chance to show what he could do at FSU. He ended the season as an honorable mention All-ACC performer, starting all 12 games and ending with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss.
He was again an All-ACC honorable mention in 2025, ending with 45 tackles, three TFL and a sack.
Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr. pursues North Carolina RB Davion Gause as the Seminoles host the Tar Heels on Nov. 2, 2024. (Robert Myers/Imagn Images)On-Field Strengths
Jackson's long arms allow him to slow down running backs even while he's being blocked. Because of his length, he can dominate centers with a bull rush. He also has big hands, which he uses to shed blocks.
Florida State defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. speaks with reporters during the NFL combine on Feb. 26, 2026, at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)Areas for Improvement
As NFL.com's Lance Zierlein described it, "Jackson's inconsistencies are partially rooted in flawed fundamentals and technique."
Scouts have also noticed Jackson relies on his power and long arms in pass rushing, but his pass-rush moves are limited. Jackson's height is an advantage in some ways, but that also leads to high-pad level, which can cost him leverage over blockers.
Combine Performance
At the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Jackson participated in positional drills, but didn’t take part in athletic testing, such as the 40-yard dash.
At Florida State's Pro Day on March 27, Jackson ran through positional and skills drills, including the bench press, vertical, and broad jump. NFL.com evaluated Jackson based on his on-field performance over the years. His total score of 71 ranked eighth among defensive tackles in this year's draft.
Prospect Draft Position
The Mock Draft Database has Jackson as the No. 94 overall prospect and projects him to go in the third round. Currently, the Buccaneers’ defensive tackle room is led by Vita Vea, a 31-year-old entering his ninth season, and Calijah Kancey, who is entering his fourth year but has only played in 28 career games due to injuries.
Writing for NolesRoundtable, former NFL fullback Marvin Powell III described Jackson as a "wild card."
"Some of the reports make him seem too raw to ever have real impact, while others see him as a player who can have significant impact," Powell said. "The NFL is a league of players who are technicians when it comes to their craft. Going to an organization with a great defensive line coach who can train raw talent will be essential for Jackson's success."
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