| No. 78 – New York Jets | |
|---|---|
| Position | Defensive tackle |
| Roster status | Unsigned draft pick |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (2003-04-28) April 28, 20031 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 315 lb (143 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Gadsden County (Havana, Florida) |
| College |
|
| NFL draft | 2026: 4th round, 103rd overall pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Darrell Jackson Jr. (born April 28, 2003)1 is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, Maryland Terrapins and Miami Hurricanes. Jackson was selected by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Early life
Jackson Jr. attended Gadsden County High School in Havana, Florida.2 He played defensive tackle, defensive end and tight end in high school. He committed to the University of Maryland, College Park to play college football.
College career
As a true freshman at Maryland in 2021, Jackson Jr. played in all 13 games with one start and had 22 tackles. After one year at Maryland, he transferred to the University of Miami.3 In his lone year at Miami, he started all 12 games and had 27 tackles and three sacks.4 After the season, Jackson Jr. transferred to Florida State University.56 He was forced to sit out the season by the NCAA after he was denied a hardship waiver request, but was eligible to play in a bowl game.78 His only game of the season came in the 2023 Orange Bowl, where he recorded six tackles. Jackson Jr. returned to Florida State in 2024.
Professional career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | Vertical jump | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 5+1⁄2 in (1.97 m) |
315 lb (143 kg) |
34+3⁄4 in (0.88 m) |
11 in (0.28 m) |
7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) |
26.5 in (0.67 m) | |||||||
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day910 | ||||||||||||
Jackson was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round with the 103rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.11
References
References
- @95Productions1 (April 28, 2024). "Bless to see 21🛐" (Tweet). Retrieved November 26, 2024 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- From an expelled student to an scholarship athlete: Darrell Jackson
- One of Miami’s longest-limbed, largest Canes is a ‘lean’ run-stuffer (and friend to DEs)
- Unexpected farewell: Miami starting DT Darrell Jackson Jr. entering transfer portal
- Florida State football: Seminoles add Miami Hurricanes' transfer DT Darrell Jackson
- 'It feels amazing': New Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr. excited to be close to home
- NCAA denies Darrell Jackson Jr. hardship waiver request
- 'Postseason a reality' for this ineligible Florida State football defensive lineman
- "Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- "College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- Lange, Randy (April 25, 2026). "Jets Select Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr. with Pick No. 103 in Round 4 of the 2026 NFL Draft". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved 26 April 2026.