FSU football: Postseason a reality for Darrell Jackson Jr. return

FSU head football coach Mike Norvell spoke to the media following Wednesday’s practice.

The Seminoles are currently four games into the 2023 season, where they have generated a ton of positive momentum with beating the likes of LSU and Clemson in September.

To make matters better, Norvell was asked directly in the media session about junior defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr., who had his waiver denied from the NCAA for the 2023 regular season. He stated that the postseason will be a reality for when talented defensive tackle will return to playing football again.

With FSU having a very successful season, the Seminoles will definitely need the services of Jackson Jr. if they make it to the ACC Championship Game, and potentially even a College Football Playoff appearance.

The Seminoles continue to work on appealing the decision of the NCAA, but it will be difficult to do so given the strict two-time transfer rule that was implemented earlier this year.

Jackson Jr. was on arch-rival Miami Hurricanes’ roster this past season, but needed to be closer to home (Havana, FL) to be near his ailing mother. As a result, he elected to transfer to the Seminoles. For reference, the distance from Tallahassee (FL) to Havana (FL) is about 20 miles.

"In an age where college football athletes have more freedom to transfer to the institution of their choosing, it was a questionable ruling from the NCAA, with Jackson Jr’s waiver getting denied over a situation that he ultimately could not control."

Nonetheless, Odell Haggins’ defensive tackle position group has performed well this season in the absence of Jackson Jr. The group is headlined by redshirt senior Fabien Lovett Sr. (4 total tackles), redshirt senior Braden Fiske (12 total tackles), and redshirt sophomore Joshua Farmer (13 total tackles and 2 sacks).