College conference realignment has raged quickly through the college sports landscape, and apparently, a frustrated NCAA needed to vent its frustrations.
Unfortunately, the recipient of the venting was Florida State defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr., who had his request for a hardship waiver to play this season denied by the NCAA earlier this week.
Yet it wasn’t the opportunity to play, but the circumstances behind Jackson’s move to Florida State that makes the NCAA’s denial feel harsh.
In 2021, Jackson began his college career at the University of Maryland but used his one-time transfer to enroll at Miami last season. In 11 games with the Hurricanes, he registered 27 tackles and 3 sacks.
But Jackson’s mother, who lives in Havana, Florida, has a medical condition, so Jackson did what any good son would do; he moved closer to home to be there for his mom.
That meant transferring to Florida State, which is roughly 20 minutes away in Tallahassee, and requesting a hardship waiver to be eligible to play this season for the Seminoles.
But the NCAA squashed his hopes of playing by denying his request.
It’s a surprising and hurtful decision for the young player.
“I came home for my mom,” said Jackson after the NCAA’s decision. “She thinks it’s her fault, but it’s not. I’m going to continue to be there for my mom and see how things play out.”
Seminoles’ head coach Mike Norvell was equally as disappointed.
“He came home for a reason, to be there with his mom,” said Norvell. “I thought that was shown and presented, but ultimately the NCAA, they have a choice of what they’re going to do and the decision that they made.”
But some hope remains as U.S. Senator Marco Rubio caught wind of his situation and jumped in to help.
Rubio, who highlighted Jackson’s decision to “put family first and move home” sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to reconsider based upon Jackson’s need to be closer to home to care for his ailing mother.
The text from the letter is below.
“I write with disappointment in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) decision to punish a young athlete who is putting his family first. Darrell Jackson, Jr., a recent transfer to Florida State University, sought a hardship waiver to be near his ailing mother, and was denied.
“A promising young athlete, Darrell grew up not far from Tallahassee. He first attended the University of Maryland before transferring to the University of Miami last season. While at Miami, Darrell excelled, playing in all 12 games. Unfortunately, Darrell is experiencing every family’s worst nightmare. A sick parent is tough on grown children. To have to go through this while still in college is especially difficult. Strong communities are built from strong families. I commend Darrell for his decision to put family first and move home.
“The NCAA’s decision to deny Darrell’s waiver request sends a wrong message to our young adults when confronted with family health. Darrell’s hardship application deserves a second look. If this is not what hardship waivers are for, then what is?
“I look forward to your response.”
Hopefully, the NCAA reconsiders its decision and grants Jackson his request.
If not, his coach and team are standing behind him.
“If he’s not able to play in games this fall, we’re going to push, develop and do everything we can to put him in the best position to be one of the best defensive linemen in the country.”
