#31

Derrick Jackson

DB · Kent State · Fr. · #31

Returning to Kent State for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Derrick Jackson

DB · Kent State · Fr · #31

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★
#2256 national
CFB
College
Kent State
2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2025Kent State5-7HC: Mark Carney · Run-leaning, slow tempo

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Kent State48270.50.021--
Career48270.50.021--

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 1 · 2025

W 21–17

vs Merrimack

1 SOLO  ·  2 TOT

A wire-to-wire battle — won by 4 at home.

How he plays

Play style

Moves between deep coverage and the slot.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Kent State

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Defensive back · Kent State

Returning around him

  • 11% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
  • Transfer portal: -4 net (11 in / 15 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Kent State · Last season: 5-7 · Talent rank #128 · 2026 recruiting class #120

DNA match

Player DNA

Hybrid Nickel

Moves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB.

S

His 2025 production profile sits closest to Isaac Paul’s 2024 season.

Isaac Paul

80%match

Kennesaw State · 2024

All-Conference USA
#2

Kentrell Webb

Houston · 2024

78%
#3

Ryland Gandy

Pittsburgh · 2024

76%
#4

Christian Ford

Missouri State · 2025

76%
#5

Tyson Wilson

UTEP · 2021

76%

Matches Isaac on

PD rate
Class year
Tackle volume

Differs from Isaac on

Height (lower)

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Aiden Manutai's freshman season at California (2025).

California · 2025

#2

Christian Ford

Missouri State · 2025

78%
#3

Austin Alexander

Kansas · 2025

78%
#4

Isaac Paul

Kennesaw State · 2024

All-Conference USA
78%
#5

Ronnie Royal III

NC State · 2025

76%

Matches Aiden on

Class year
PD rate
Tackle volume

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #12832

Final rank
#12832
Avg #13140.0
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #12832 this season.