Darrell Jackson Jr.

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Strengths

• Mammoth frame with overwhelming mass at 330 pounds that allows him to eat space and command double teams, displaying natural leverage when he keeps his pad level down against interior offensive linemen.
• Shows flashes of surprising short-area quickness for his size, particularly when shooting gaps on stunts; can get skinny through tight spaces when he times his get-off right.
• Generates impressive power at the point of attack when he fully extends his arms, creating separation that allows him to shed and make plays laterally against the run.
• Has developed into a more consistent pocket pusher with 30 pressures in 2024, showing the ability to collapse the pocket from the interior and disrupt a quarterback's platform.
• Plays with genuine mean streak when engaged - saw him toss multiple interior linemen aside against Miami where he registered a career-high 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble.
• Possesses the natural play strength to reset the line of scrimmage against single blocks, walking centers back into the quarterback's lap when he gets his hands inside.
• Displays leadership traits coaches covet, earning the Bobby Bowden Leadership Award amidst a disastrous 2-10 season; chose to return rather than bolt for the NFL.
• Shows flashes of dominant run defense when he maintains gap discipline, particularly evident against North Carolina where he racked up five tackles while consistently controlling his assignments.

Areas to Improve

• Motor runs hot and cold throughout games - will dominate for stretches and then disappear for extended periods, raising questions about his conditioning and ability to maintain impact over 50+ snaps.
• Tackling technique remains inconsistent and sloppy, lunging at ball carriers rather than wrapping up, reflected in his concerning 54.8 tackle grade that lags behind his other metrics.
• Struggles to disengage when offensive linemen get into his frame first, allowing himself to get latched onto and controlled, particularly evident against zone blocking schemes.
• Pass rush arsenal remains limited mainly to bull rushes and occasional swim moves; lacks sophisticated hand usage and counters when initial push is stalled out.
• Can play too high at times, negating his natural leverage advantage and allowing smaller interior linemen to get underneath his pads and stalemate him at the point of attack.