8/8/2023 football Edit

Darrell Jackson denied waiver by NCAA to play in 2023

Darrell Jackson did not earn his waiver from the NCAA. (Bob Ferrante)

Bob Ferrante • TheOsceola

Editor

Darrell Jackson's long wait ended with an unfortunate result: The two-time transfer will not be able to play at Florida State in 2023.

Jackson had been awaiting word from the NCAA on his waiver to play in the fall at FSU after he spent 2021 at Maryland and 2022 at Miami.

The 6-foot-5, 334-pound Jackson has been praised for his work this offseason as he awaited word on his appeal. He is a native of nearby Havana, Fla.

Jackson and coach Mike Norvell announced the news on Tuesday after practice.

"It was hurtful because I know what I came home for," Jackson said. "I came home for my mom. For me, I'm just trying to be here for my mom. She thinks it's her fault, but it's not. I'm continuing to be there for my mom and see how things play out."

Jackson played in 12 games (11 starts) as a sophomore at Miami, accumulating 27 tackles and three sacks. He also had 22 tackles in 13 games at Maryland.

While Jackson was expected to be a big piece of FSU's defensive tackle rotation, FSU has a wealth of talent up front. Fabien Lovett returned for a fourth year at FSU, Braden Fiske transferred in from Western Michigan and one of Jackson's high school teammates, Josh Farmer, is beginning his third year in Tallahassee. The Seminoles also have veterans Malcolm Ray and Dennis Briggs as well as redshirt freshmen like Daniel Lyons and Ayobami Tifase.

Norvell had expressed optimism that Jackson would earn a waiver and said in prior interviews that he had been inquiring with the school's compliance department often. Norvell acknowledged on Tuesday

"Towards the end of last week, we got news back on Darrell Jackson's appeal and he was actually denied from the NCAA," Norvell said. "I talked to him once we got that information. Obviously, I'm extremely disappointed in it. For that young man, the journey and the reason, the reason why he's here. Just sad that he's going to miss games. There are still processes that we're looking at going through ... Obviously he's hurt, this was something that he came home for a reason, to be there with his mom. Ultimately, the NCAA has a choice of what they're going to do and the decision that they make."

From Norvell to defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins, FSU's coaching staff has praised Jackson for remaining focused on learning the defense as well as his work in the strength and conditioning program in the summer.

"The thing that has been incredible about it, watching Darrell work, the very next day after we told him, he had his best practice since he's been here," Norvell said. "I think he's got an incredible future. We're going to continue to go through the process of whatever is ahead, but if he's not able to play in games this fall, we're still going to push, develop and do everything we can to put him in the position to be one of the best defensive linemen in the country. I think he has an incredible future in front of him. He will play this game for a long time, Lord willing he stays healthy. It's unfortunate he's not going to have the opportunity as of right now to be able to play this season."

When asked about his attitude toward the months ahead, and knowing that he won't play in games for FSU this fall, Jackson said he will keep working and help his teammates improve.

"I've got to make the team better," Jackson said. "Everything about the team. I'm just doing whatever I can do to help the team out. Keep working. Keep coming out to practice, giving my all. I'll keep a smile on my face. I'm good."