Darrell Jackson always looked the part, an NFL-prototype body at 6-foot-5 and 337 pounds. But now he begins his first steps as an NFL prospect at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
The book on Jackson has been evident across his two full seasons at FSU: A massive nose tackle who can be as good as he wants to be, a run-stopper that is often disruptive despite double-teams. But he’s also lacking the pressures (14 in 2025) or sacks (just one against FCS East Texas A&M) of a valued pass rusher.
“I've gotten a chance to know him almost over two years now,” Shrine Bowl director of football operations and player personnel Eric Galko said. “Identified him early in his career at Florida State and got a chance to talk to him early on as well, really get to know how special Darrell is as a person and how he is with teammates as well, too. “And you don't have to be an NFL scout to see that he's got obvious NFL ability. The only question is going to be how you're going to evaluate his ability.”
Jackson has already begun his NFL journey as he prepares for practices at the Shrine Bowl, which begin on Friday in Frisco, Texas, ahead of Tuesday’s game (7 p.m. on NFL Network) where he and offensive tackle Micah Pettus will be among the participants. It will also be their first opportunities to sit down with NFL scouts, and there will be plenty of curious talent evaluators.
Galko is convinced Jackson will do more than just stand out in a crowd of prospects from around the country.
“I think he's got first-round talent,” Galko told the Osceola. “I think he's shown that throughout the last two years.”
Despite the constant double teams, Jackson had 44 tackles in 2025 as well as 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2024. He graded well as a run defender (81.3 by Pro Football Focus) last fall, but Jackson often fell short as a pass rusher (58.5). He was credited with just four missed tackles, with three of them coming in the loss at NC State.
“For guys in his position, who are, 6-3, 6-4, 325-plus pounds like Darrell, is guys that can fire off the ball with his explosion, heavy hands, that are landing low and in space,” Galko said. “That strong anchor that allows offenses to have what I call one-and-a-half guys blocking him at all times.”
What Jackson can offer is a nose tackle who frees up opportunities for the other defensive linemen or linebackers to make plays.
“I think that's what the sign of a good nose tackle, or a good interior defensive lineman is, drawing two guys and that way you as a defense can rush four and still get home with one of your guys,” Galko said.
The early NFL mock drafts don’t have Jackson listed in the first round. And a few that go two rounds deep leave him off their lists, too. While Galko is bullish on Jackson, there is also a level of doubt, too.
What Jackson has shown on film is in the rear-view mirror. And now he has an opportunity to show his value to NFL teams.
“It's going to be important for Darrell to show his versatility and just remind NFL teams that either did or didn't see him live in person that he's a really special talent,” Galko said. “But I think also the interview process, that first impression will also be really important for Darrell to impress NFL teams, and I have no doubt that he will.”
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