Tag: darrell jackson

CFB Week 0: Scouting preview for the first handful of college games

CFB Week 0: Scouting preview for the first handful of college games including Florida State vs. Georgia Tech

College football is back! It’s not in full force yet, but there are a few college games in what is deemed Week 0 kicking off.

For those of us in the NFL Draft world, that means it’s time to start scouting the new season of potential 2025 draft prospects. And there will be some in action on Saturday, August 24th.

Most of them will be in Dublin, Ireland for the ACC matchup between the Florida State Seminoles and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Florida State lost a ton of talent to the 2024 NFL Draft, but the Seminoles still have an impressive 16 players who made the Senior Bowl watchlist.

The two most prominent are defensive linemen Darrell Jackson and Patrick Payton. Jackson is especially intriguing because we didn’t get to see him in 2023 after transferring from Miami. The 330ish-pounder had a lot of impressive game tape at Miami and Maryland before that.

Payton toyed with declaring in 2024 but will now hope to succeed first-rounder Jared Verse and get himself into the first-round conversation for 2025. The 6-foot-5 Payton had seven sacks and 14.5 TFLs in 2023.

Well-traveled QB D.J. Uiagalelei takes over at QB for Florida State with hopes that things will click enough for him to become a viable NFL draft prospect. Others to watch include talented CB Fentrell Cypress and speedy slasher Lawrance Toafili at running back. It’s also the first chance to see Marvin Jones Jr. in a Seminoles uniform, as the son of Florida State’s legendary linebacker has transferred in (from Georgia) as a defensive lineman.

Georgia Tech has five players on the Senior Bowl watchlist and all are linemen. Massive DT Zeek Biggers, all 6-foot-6 and 333 pounds of him, patrols the middle nicely and is the most likely Tech player to get drafted, at least from a preseason perspective. He’ll need to finish plays better. Center Weston Franklin allowed just one sack in 2023 and has barrel;-chested strength inside.

In other games:

Montana State vs. New Mexico

The FCS-level Bobcats are favored on the road in New Mexico by two touchdowns, and it’s a reflection of the relative talent level. Montana State EDGE Brody Grebe is one of three Bobcats on the Senior Bowl watchlist, and he’s got some real pass-rush juice at 250 pounds. Right tackle Marcus Wehr is one of the top FCS prospects for the 2025 draft cycle. Brendan Hall also made the list, and he’s MSU’s punter and kicker.

SMU at Nevada

The Mustangs look to run out of the gate with a talented team that features QB Preston Stone. The dual-threat passer needs a little work on his accuracy, but he’s smart and fearless as both a runner and passer. Slot receiver Jake Bailey is very good after the catch and sure-handed, and he could have a big day against the Wolfpack. Stone and Bailey are two of the nine SMU players who made the Senior Bowl watchlist.

College Sports Roundup: NCAA denies waivers, overrated programs, and more from the College Wires

The NCAA denied waivers for a pair of transfer waivers, five teams overrated in the coaches poll, and more from the College Wires.

On Tuesday, it came to light that the NCAA has denied waivers for a pair of ACC transfers.

North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker, who transferred to Chapel Hill after spending time at NC Central and Kent State, was denied his waiver. The reason Walker transferred to North Carolina over other programs that recruited him out of the transfer portal was due to his ailing grandmother. Walker is a Charlotte, North Carolina native, cutting his once seven-and-a-half-hour drive from Kent State to Charlotte down to just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Chapel Hill.

Also worth noting is that while beginning his career at NC Central, Walker could not play in his true freshman season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately for Walker and the Tar Heels, the NCAA, despite his reasons for transferring a second time before being a graduate transfer, was not a good enough reason. North Carolina is planning on appealing the NCAA’s decision. Before being ruled ineligible, numerous outlets named Walker a preseason All-ACC selection, and was selected to the Biletnikoff Award watch list.

In a similar situation, Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson, who transferred into the program from Miami this offseason, was also denied eligibility on a hardship waiver. Before transferring to Florida State, Jackson began his career at Maryland before moving over to Miami in 2021.

However, due to his mother’s medical condition, Jackson transferred a second time this offseason, choosing Florida State to be closer to home. Jackson is a native of Havana, Florida, just a 30-minute drive to Tallahassee. Florida State will also try to appeal the denied waiver.

Florida targeting this Arizona State defensive line transfer

Florida has reached out to former Arizona State defensive line Jermayne Lole who entered the NCAA transfer portal recently.

Florida and head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] have quickly moved on after they didn’t land former Maryland defensive lineman [autotag]Darrell Jackson[/autotag], who committed to Miami. Swamp247 reported that they are looking at Arizona State defensive lineman [autotag]Jermayne Lole[/autotag] who entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal recently.

Defensive line coach [autotag]Sean Spencer[/autotag] has been the main point of contact from Florida for Lole. He’s trying to get Lole to come to the Swamp for an official visit.

Lole was a three-star prospect in the class of 2018, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. They ranked him as the 551st overall player and 24th best player at his position. Out of high school, he chose the Sun Devils over Washington State and San Diego State.

Lole has been quite a contributor for Arizona State over the past three seasons. He racked up 122 tackles, 20 of which were for a loss and 11 sacks. He missed the entire season in 2021 after suffering a triceps injury.

One of the main reasons he entered the portal, according to Swamp247, is because he wants to explore his name, image and likeness value. It’ll be interesting to see if Florida steps up its NIL game after it was seemingly outbid for Jackson.

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Maryland DL transfer sets official visit to Florida for this weekend

After visiting for the Orange and Blue game, Maryland DL transfer Darrell Jackson will use an official visit to Florida this weekend.

Head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and Florida are looking to buff up its defensive line via the NCAA transfer portal this offseason after they struggled with depth at times during spring practices. Gators Online reported that one target, former Maryland Terrapin defensive lineman [autotag]Darrell Jackson[/autotag], is planning to return for an official visit after visiting for the Orange and Blue game two weeks ago.

He appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman where Jackson recorded 22 tackles, including 15 of them that were solo.

Since visiting Florida for the spring game, he has stopped by Miami, Tennessee and Florida State. He used an official visit to the Hurricanes last weekend.

Jackson was rated as a three-star prospect in the 2021 class. The 247Sports composite rankings have him as the 715th overall prospect and as the 90th best defensive lineman.

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Florida earns crystal ball prediction for this transfer portal DL

Will Florida be adding some depth soon from the transfer portal?

247Sports’ Blake Alderman logged a crystal ball prediction in favor of the Florida Gators for Maryland transfer [autotag]Darrell Jackson[/autotag] on Thursday.

Jackson and his mother will be in Gainesville for the Gators’ Orange and Blue game and things have been trending in the right direction since he entered the portal. Alderman’s crystal ball is the lone projection for the Gators on 247Sports as of now and it’s unclear how many other schools have pursued him to the degree UF has.

Gators head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] noted Florida’s lack of depth in a press conference earlier this week before laying out a plan to be “very aggressive” in the portal. [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] took the same approach last year bringing in [autotag]Tyrone Truesdell[/autotag], [autotag]Antonio Valentino[/autotag] and [autotag]Daquan Newkirk[/autotag] to fill out the defensive line.

Napier’s staff worked quickly to get in touch with Jackson, so he figures to be a high priority on the recruiting board. They already seem to be in a good spot with him and there are rumors that Jackson would like to return to Florida after graduating from Gadsden County High.

If the process lingers on, the Gators plan on bringing him in for an official visit.

247Sports ranked Jackson a three-star recruit out of high school and has yet to give him a transfer designation. He was the No. 90 defensive lineman on the 247Sports composite. He started in all 13 games for the Terrapins as a true freshman, totaling 22 tackles throughout the season.

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The stars are coming out for Florida’s Orange and Blue game on Thursday

The stars will be out for Florida head coach Billy Napier’s first spring game on Thursday.

Head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has proven the doubters wrong. Many fans and media members thought the decision to move the Orange and Blue game from Saturday to Thursday to achieve a recruiting advantage was a mistake that would end up backfiring. Despite having the game held on a weekday, Napier and the Gators have managed to bring in three 2023 five-stars and 15 four-stars along with a boatload of top prospects from the 2024 recruiting class.

The Orange and Blue game visitors’ list is headlined by five-star cornerback [autotag]Cormani McClain[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Francis Mauigoa[/autotag] and athlete [autotag]Samuel M’Pemba[/autotag]. This will all be their second visit to the Swamp under Napier. Swamp247 is also reporting that they have an eye out for five-star cornerback [autotag]AJ Harris[/autotag] that could also visit, but he and his family have not finalized their plans yet.

Maryland defensive lineman [autotag]Darrell Jackson[/autotag] isn’t a high school prospect, obviously, but Swamp247 reported that he will be visiting the Gators Thursday after entering his name into the transfer portal last week.

Florida will bring in a lot of talent on Thursday hailing from the trenches like offensive linemen [autotag]Payton Kirkland[/autotag], [autotag]Lucas Simmons[/autotag], [autotag]Knijeah Harris[/autotag], defensive linemen [autotag]Will Norman[/autotag], [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag], [autotag]Jordan Hall[/autotag] and [autotag]Tomarrion Parker[/autotag].

The Gators are looking to sign several top pass catchers this cycle with a lack of playmakers currently on the roster. Some of the most talented wideouts include [autotag]Hykeem Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Aidan Mizell[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Williams[/autotag].

Other top targets expected are four-star running back [autotag]Treyaun Webb[/autotag], safety [autotag]Joenel Aguero[/autotag] and [autotag]Kenton Kirkland[/autotag].

The stars will be out in full force for the Gators’ Orange and Blue Game on Thursday.

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Florida targeting this Maryland DL in the transfer portal

Florida has reportedly contacted Maryland defensive lineman Darrell Jackson who is currently in the transfer portal.

Florida and head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] needed to find a starter up front to pair with defensive tackle [autotag]Gervon Dexter[/autotag]. But upperclassmen [autotag]Jaelin Humphries[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag] have struggled to do so. Now the Gators are looking for an answer in the NCAA transfer portal. Swamp247 reported Friday that the new coaching staff is targeting Maryland defensive lineman [autotag]Darrell Jackson[/autotag].

The Gators wasted little time contacting him after he entered his name into the transfer portal on Thursday. During his freshman season in 2021, he recorded 22 total tackles while playing in eight games. He hails from Havana, Florida, and was ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports coming out of high school.

Florida could also use another body at the position after redshirt sophomore [autotag]Lamar Goods[/autotag] announced his decision to transfer on Friday.

Napier and the Gators plan to be aggressive in the transfer portal this spring and summer at a plethora of positions after several injuries have caused depth issues at some spots.

“The University of Florida, you can anticipate us being very aggressive in the portal this spring, we need players,” Napier said after the team’s first scrimmage. “Now, I think the approach is going to be acquire as many good players as we can at any position, right? We’re thin and we need help in a lot of different spots.

“I think we have, we’re approaching double-digits if that makes sense. So, you know, I think it’s fortunate that we have that opportunity, right? It’s something I’m very thankful for? Can’t imagine not having that opportunity at this point. So that window of time is coming. We anticipate doing a lot of business and we’re looking forward to it.”

Expect more transfer targets to arise for Florida after the Orange and Blue game next week.

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Darrell Jackson commits to Tennessee

Darrell Jackson commits to Tennessee.

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee picked up a commitment for its 2021 recruiting class on Feb. 1.

Darrell Jackson made the announcement on his Twitter account, saying that he has committed to the Vols “after a great talk with Jeremy Pruitt.”

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound strong-side defensive end is from Gadsden County High School in Havana, Fla.

Currently the only other known Power 5 offer for Jackson is from Maryland.

Jackson is the sixth commitment for the Vols’ 2021 recruiting class, joining Nate Evans, Elijah Howard, Jay Jones, Jordan Mosley and Isaac Washington.

Tennessee will look to cap off its 2020 signing class on National Signing Day Feb. 5.