Takes Some Pressure Off Young Guys
If Jackson wasn't returning, I think FSU probably would have made a big push for Lee Hunter, and they still might. However, if they didn't have Jackson on Hunter, that would mean immense pressure on players like Daniel Lyons and Kelvin Sampson in 2025, with Grady White entering the transfer portal.
There isn't much proven depth behind those guys, with Jamorie Flagg and D'Nas White as redshirt freshmen in 2025. Both are big body guys, but they still have a ways to go before they'll be ready. This is when not consistently bringing in high-quality guys from the high school ranks catches up with a team.
FSU did break that trend with Kevin Wynn in the 2025 recruiting class.
Some people would want to throw him in the mix. However, it's rare for defensive tackles to be impact players in year one, though I think he could get on the field and get some experience in the right situations.
Jackson returning allows these guys more time to develop and should set FSU up nicely for 2026 and beyond.