FSU football: 3 reasons Darrell Jackson Jr. returning boosts FSU defense in 2025

Boston College v Florida State
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Jackson Could Be Dominant

Darrell Jackson didn't get off to the best start in 2024. He only had 13 (5 solo) of his 32 tackles and half of a sack in the first six games. He wasn't playing like the guy we expected at his size, but there started to be a clear difference in his play after the halfway mark.

It's encouraging he played his best ball when the season was completely over and there was no shot to make a bowl game. He easily could have checked out like some of the other players.

However, Jackson turned it on in the second half and become a disruptive force. He tallied 19 (10 solo) of his 32 tackles and three sacks in the final six games.

Maybe he realized his "money" year wasn't going as planned and found another gear? Well, he will be THE guy in 2025, and it will be another "money" year if he plans to be a high NFL Draft selection in 2026. We've been waiting for Jackson to be the dominant player he has shown flashes of, and the final six games were the closest we've come to that.

I liken it to when I wrote about the final three games in 2021 for Jordan Travis. I saw a clear difference as a passer and hoped he would build on that in 2022, and he did. If we get the final six games version of Jackson or better in 2025? That'll be a tough ask for opposing offensive lines.

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