Huge news! Massive DT Darrell Jackson announces he's returning to Florida State
The biggest addition to the roster so far for new Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White isn’t a new addition at all.
It’s a familiar face returning to Tallahassee for one more season.
On Monday afternoon, starting defensive tackle Darrell Jackson announced he’ll be coming back to Florida State for his senior season in 2025. Earlier this month, the massive lineman said he’d be forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.
Now, he’s reversed course.
“It’s an honor to represent Florida State,” Jackson said in a post on social media. “Last year was not close to the standard, and I want to lead this program to a place we all expect it to be.
“With that being said … I’m back.”
Jackson was one of the best players on the Florida State defense in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, he had the second-highest grade of any rotation player on the team (Azareye’h Thomas was No. 1).
The 6-foot-5, 330-pound defensive tackle had 33 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 4 sacks from the interior of the defensive line. He also had 29 QB pressures and 22 quarterback hits — both of which led the team and were top 10 in the country for defensive tackles, according to PFF.
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Jackson will be one of the anchors for White’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme and will be coached by first-year defensive line coach Terrance Knighton.
The Havana, Fla., native will be in his fifth season of college football after starting his career at Maryland before transferring to Miami and then eventually to Florida State before the 2023 season.
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