Florida State has been tearing up the NCAA transfer gate over the past two weeks. The Seminoles have attracted a large number of experienced players who are expected to start or play significant roles for the team in 2023. However, as we are all learning quickly, these recruitment processes can continue until they officially enroll on campus and begin classes.
Last month, the Seminoles had to allay concerns that had arisen over the move of Colorado offensive lineman Casey Roddick to Tallahassee. There was a legitimate concern when the team won the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma but FSU was able to get things back on track. Roddick is expected to be on campus at the beginning of the spring semester.
Over the past two days, Florida State has been scrambling to hold onto another one of its prized transfers, defensive tackle Darrell Jackson. The redshirt sophomore committed to signing up for the Seminoles shortly after the December 5 winter transfer window opened. However, the Hurricanes made a late run in holding him.
On Monday, it was announced that The Battle’s End Collective had reached an agreement with Jackson, which essentially confirms his addition to the show and ends the drama. It is also worth noting that it is listed in the Student Directory of Florida
During the early signing period, the Seminoles publicly announced the addition of Jackson, who was planning to move closer to home to be near a family member suffering from an illness. Previously, he paid an official visit to Florida from December 16-18. He declined a full interview at the time, but declared how excited he was to be on the programme.
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On Saturday, a social media post from Jackson’s account appears to have come from South Florida. This put the writing on the wall for a potential Hurricane return. Instead, recruitment continued to develop as Jackson went live on Instagram with former high school teammate, Joshua Farmer, and head coach, Corey Fuller. Farmer and Fuller are both in Florida.
The Florida native was one of the top choices on Miami’s defensive line in 2022, starting all 12 regular season games. He totaled 27 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Originally signed with Maryland as a member of the Class of 2021, he recorded 22 tackles before transferring to Coral Gables for his most recent off-season. Jackson will need to get a waiver to play this coming season, but he is believed to be a viable option.
Combined with a prospect for several years or a rotation player like Jackson, the Seminoles have plenty of talent that will return to the interior defense line next season. That includes experienced senior redshirt players Fabian Lovett, true freshman redshirt Braden Fisk, true freshman Malcolm Ray, Farmer, true freshman Daniel Lyons, true freshman Bishop Thomas, true freshman Antavius Woody, and true freshman Ayubami Tevas. Florida State signed four star KJ Sampson out of the high school ranks.
This isn’t the only strange recruiting Florida State has been involved in over the past two weeks. Outside of the aforementioned Roddick, four-star Konrad Hase Seminoles have landed over Penn State and Miami. Hussey turned down his ad at the start of the early signing period before a wild and exciting signing contract on Instagram Live and concluded with him the Seminoles selection. The program also lost four defensive stars with the end of Kildrick Faulk’s commitment to a new Auburn coach.
READ MORE: Hakeem Williams and Travis Hunter clash over early signing day comments
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