The Minnesota Vikings need to address their interior defensive line depth in the upcoming draft, particularly a nose tackle to complement standout Jalen Redmond after parting ways with veteran Pro Bowlers Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. The two projected starters include Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins at defensive end and Levi Drake Rodriguez at nose tackle. Ingram-Dawkins started just one game across 250 snaps as a rookie, while Drake Rodriguez is undersized at the position, weighing 300 to 307 pounds.
Minnesota Vikings host run-stopping nose tackle for 30-visit
Florida State Seminoles, Darrell Jackson Jr.
Nov 23, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. (6) prepares for the snap during the first quarter against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
On Instagram, Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. shared a story about recently visiting the Vikings for a 30-visit. He is a solid run-stopping nose tackle prospect, but is a developing pass-rusher with limited production, recording just 7.5 sacks in his college career. Jackson recently slimmed down to 315 pounds after previously playing at 337 pounds in 2025, hoping to improve his stamina, quickness, and pass-rushing ability to become an every-down defender rather than playing solely on early downs.
Thanks to the pre-draft process, he has risen on draft boards, with many projecting him as a late Day 2 to early Day 3 pick.
#FloridaState DL Darrell Jackson Jr. is visiting the #Vikings. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/lmD9aDV0Eg
— Jaguars Now (@JaguarsNow904) April 9, 2026
Here’s a quick review of his FSU career
Florida State Seminoles, Darrell Jackson Jr.
Sep 26, 2025; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) passes the ball as Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. (6) chases in the first overtime period at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Darrell Jackson Jr. transferred to Florida State in 2023 after spending 2022 with Miami and 2021 with Maryland. He sat out the entire junior-year regular season due to NCAA eligibility rules at the time that required players who transferred twice to sit out a year, and the NCAA rejected his hardship waiver for immediate eligibility despite his mother’s persistent medical condition and his desire to be closer to home. Jackson did play in the Bowl Game, recording three tackles and 0.5 TFLs.
Darrell Jackson Jr. enjoyed a solid redshirt junior campaign, setting career highs in sacks and pressures. He recorded 32 tackles, four TFLs, 30 pressures, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble across 12 games. He had a solid redshirt senior season, setting career highs in tackles while excelling against the run, but taking a step back as a pass rusher, primarily due to his weight and conditioning. Jackson recorded 45 tackles, three TFLs, and one sack across 12 games, along with 14 pressures, a 5.8% pass-rush win rate, and an 8.9% run-stop rate.
“While he’s an enormous interior presence with impressive physical features, Jackson’s inconsistencies are partially rooted in flawed fundamentals and technique. He plays too upright and with inconsistent base width/block take-on, making him more easily cleared from gaps.
“He might never become a tree stump at the point, but he could see vast improvement in his shed-and-control with quicker hands, improved upper-body power and a full-time move to odd-front end. The tape is uneven with a floor of average backup, but Jackson’s size and length could be considered unmined gold by some teams.”
He projects as an above-average backup.