Aaron Glenn offers hilarious line praising Jets’ rookie NT

Great nose tackles are hard to come by in the NFL. If a team is lucky enough to find one, it’s even harder to find a backup worthy of playing time.

That’s what the New York Jets hope they have accomplished, though, following the early fourth-round selection of Florida State nose tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. at No. 103 overall.

At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds with an enormous 86-inch wingspan (99th percentile for DTs), Jackson is considered a mammoth of an interior defender with plenty of upside as a potential starter in the future.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn delivered a fantastic line describing the value of Jackson’s frame.

“When you look at today, we got some huge men to play for us and you probably heard me say mass kicks ass,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said. “With DJ (Darrell Jackson Jr.), those guys are really good developmental linemen that we can have be able to look at the guys we have and be able to learn to get better.”

If “mass kicks ass,” as Glenn says, then the Jets believe they have a nose tackle that fits exactly what they need in 2026.

Jets defensive depth

New York already has a starting nose tackle on paper. Former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat was acquired by the team in February for former Jets first-round edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. Jackson is expected to come in and develop behind Sweat this season.

When the rookie takes the field, though, he expects to make his presence felt.

“I’m bringing physicality in the run game, you know, even with my pass rush, I can push the pocket and get to the quarterback,” Jackson said.

The physical tools have always been there for Jackson. He has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and giant 11-inch hands that could make him a technical nightmare for opposing centers.

Jackson’s biggest issue is consistency, though. His technique was not always sound, and that got him into trouble at times during games. He has yet to learn how to use his God-given abilities to produce on a weekly basis.

New York isn’t worried too much about the Seminole’s raw game, though. They have a plan in place for Jackson that already has him excited.

“I know Coach Aaron Glenn; I know they got a plan for me, just bringing that physicality,” he said. “It’s been great.”

If the Jets and defensive line coach Karl Dunbar can help Jackson unlock the full extent of his traits, he may push for more playing time than expected in his rookie year.

NFL pedigree

Under their current regime, the Jets have valued prospects with NFL pedigrees. In 2025, they used a second-round pick on tight end Mason Taylor, the son of legendary pass rusher Jason Taylor.

Jackson’s NFL pedigree is different than most. His father didn’t play in the NFL, but his uncle did.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dexter Jackson was Super Bowl XXXVII MVP thanks to his two-interception performance against the Oakland Raiders and Rich Gannon. Jackson played 10 years at the NFL level for Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, and Arizona.

While he was never big enough to play the nose tackle spot like his nephew, the experience he gained during his career will help Darrell going into 2026 and beyond.

“I knew he played for Florida State. I knew I wanted to play at Florida State and
follow his footsteps,” Jackson said. “Our communication is great. He just gives me little details, just going to the league and what to expect.”

Time will tell what kind of role the Jets have for Jackson going into his rookie season. New York has added plenty of new faces to the defensive line, after all, including Sweat and 11th-year veteran David Onyemata.

But if the Jets’ development plan for Jackson works out, there is a path for him to climb the depth chart quickly.