41. Darren Jackson Darren Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Lansdale Catholic | 2026 State PA

Showing love to one of the better overall prospects Pennsylvania has to offer. Lansdale Catholic’s Darren Jackson Darren Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Lansdale Catholic | 2026 State PA was present this weekend, the highly-sought after LB/ATH represented Philly’s Finest per usual.

6’4, 215 pounds. 4.01 GPA, an 80 inch wingspan, Jackson’s skill set is best witnessed on Friday nights with pads on. Jackson can provide offense in a 7v7 setting just as he does in the Fall, yet his FBS promise comes with his potential on defense. Many other PF prospects showed out, with Jackson reeling in a few touchdown scores. Jackson’s placement on this arbitrary list doesn’t reflect how special a football player he truly is. Always a pleasure seeing him in person.

Jackson is a big body and moves well for his size. He is a little tight as a runner, but has good balance and can cut to create separation. He can use his size and physicality to create space and can go up to get contested balls or high points. I see why Jackson has a great ranking for the state of Pennsylvania, and I am excited for his athletic future.

I evaluated Lansdale Catholic’s Darren Jackson Darren Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Lansdale Catholic | 2026 State PA earlier in the season, this after both putting his early tape under a microscope, as well as watching him work against competition in a live setting. After a ton of travel, after a ton of time spent elsewhere, I wanted to dive back into all things Jackson after the 6’4, 205-pound LB/ATH posted his junior tape on Hudl. This, especially before a 2026 Rankings Update.

Jackson’s first rep on tape shows off his capabilities as a split-out wideout. Jackson runs a nine, gets behind his DB, and stretches the field better than what you’d expect from a 6’4, TE/OLB. The next rep, Jackson is left unblocked, stays home at the LOS until he sets his eyes on the QB and hunts him down for a sack. Not many prospects starting off their tapes with touchdowns after go routes and sacks off the edge. An up-field winner, Jackson finds success pushing his match up deep into the pocket where he can move freely 1v1 against tackles. Arm length and reach allows Jackson to stay outside and play outside in. Jackson can stab and set an edge if called upon to do so. Jackson can reach and work the separation between he and his tackle match up and shed with ease. Jackson is becoming an even better force off the edge, a young man who looks as comfortable as ever manning the position. Jackson’s offensive reps are icing on the cake.

I look toward the likes of Rutgers and Syracuse to potentially offer jackson before we reach Spring of 2025. If these FBS offers don’t land, expect FCS programs to pull the trigger, with a MAC/Academy snowball to follow up. Excited to see where he ends up ranking this time around.

Been knocking on this door for so long I’m unsure what else there is to say. Here’s what I wrote concerning Lansdale Catholic’s FBS prospect Darren Jackson Darren Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Lansdale Catholic | 2026 State PA after his Week Two performance against Father Judge.

Story remains the same. If Jackson doesn’t get a Power Four offer then so be it. Jackson is worthy of a plethora of G5 offers, this in my opinion being his floor. If I were Jackson, I’d keep my head down and control what he can control. Let the gasbags like myself do the talking for him. I have no problem pressing the issue.

Darren Jackson Darren Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Lansdale Catholic | 2026 State PA is one of the best prospects on this piece, regardless of any stat line produced through three weeks. A wideout piece, yes, please let it be known that this is an FBS-quality defender who can contribute as a two-way player at Lansdale Catholic. Through three games, Jackson has racked up over a hundred yards, with the majority of that bulk coming with me on the sidelines. Jackson also has one touchdown reception on the year. Worth mentioning Lansdale has been without their starting quarterback Yeboa Cobbold for practically two games. Backup David Melcher David Melcher 5'9" | 149 lbs | ATH Archbishop Wood | 2027 State PA has been doing his best to complete passes, yet the matchup against SCH this past weekend proved to be too much for the offense to handle.

In a game where starting quarterback Yeboa Cobbold exited early, junior Darren Jackson Darren Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | LB Lansdale Catholic | 2026 State PA was still able to contribute quality two-way reps in a loss to Father Judge. I think of Jackson as a potential FBS outside linebacker, thus his high ranking. Jackson serves the OLB role well on this Lansdale defense, yet he also serves a quality role at tight end as well. Jackson was serviceable at OLB in this one, great pursuit to the football, was working in space and manning zones while aligned in the slot. Not too much in terms of TFLs but I witnessed Jackson running around the field to make sure his presence was felt on defense. Jackson came up huge offensively, however. About 5/6 catches on the day, looked great after the catch, the kid sports a long-limbed build, one that can churn up positive yards quickly if you give him a chance. Cobbold hit Jackson in an improv situation, the junior quarterback finding Jackson downfield for an easy score that put LC up at the time. Jackson was still able to produce despite a quarterback change. LC’s offense staggered a bit without Cobbold creating behind the LOS, yet Jackson was able to reel in catches still and provide YAC. This is a prospect whose phone should be blowing up. Currently holds one offer out of Kent State.