Summer is here, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Vikings fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Minnesota.
Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Vikings, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Vikings fans can be the most informed fans.
So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.
Player Information
Player: Darrell Jackson Jr.
School: Florida State
Height/Weight: 6-5/330 lbs.
Player Background
– 3-Star Recruit
– Played Defensive Tackle, Edge Rusher, and Tight End in High School
– Transferred from Maryland to Miami (FL) to Florida State
Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season
– 84 Tackles
– 10 Tackles for a Loss
– 6.5 Sacks
– 2 Pass Deflections
Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season
– 65.6 PFF Run Defense Grade
– 63.5 PFF Pass Rush Grade
– 5 QB Hits
– 37 QB Hurries
– 55 Defensive Stops
Player Traits
– Space eater in the middle of the defensive line
– Generates good power to drive blockers back on attempted anchors
– Uses leverage to shed blockers
– Has flashed more consistent pass-rush ability in recent years
– Started to develop more finesse moves last season
Player Summary
Darrell Jackson Jr. has been all over the place, and he seemingly has figured out more each step of the way. He has thrived in a role mainly as a space eater to start his career, and it has started to turn more into a pass rusher in recent years. He has shown he can use both power and finesse moves to get to the quarterback, while also being reliable in the run game as well. He may be what he is at this point but if the worst he is will be a rotational piece on a defensive line, that is a more than serviceable career.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, FSU