One of the unsung heroes of the Ohio State National Championship run, Donovan Jackson has had NFL written all over him ever since his high school days. After coming to Columbus as a five-star athlete, top interior lineman, and seventh-best recruit regardless of position, expectations were high. He was one of the leaders on the Buckeyes’ offensive line in 2024 and finished his career with 2,571 snaps across his four seasons. Now, Jackson is expected to be one of the many Ohio State players to hear his name in this year’s draft.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Donovan Jackson
Donovan Jackson NFL Draft Overview
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 320 pounds
School: Ohio State
Background
Jackson was part of the objectively ridiculous 2021 Ohio State recruiting class. He was one of seven five-star players and one of nine players who were top-five in their respective positions. Oddly enough, all seven players are in this draft (with five representing Ohio State). From the jump, Jackson was in on sub packages, often utilized as a sixth lineman. As a true freshman in 2021, Jackson logged 103 snaps for the Buckeyes before taking over full-time in 2022.
As the starting left guard for the CFP-bound Buckeyes in 2022, Jackson logged 827 snaps blocking for C.J. Stroud. Across those 827 snaps, Jackson amassed 449 pass-blocking snaps where he allowed just two sacks and nine hurries.
As a junior, Jackson continued his high-end play but did take a slight step back. Across 825 snaps, Jackson’s run-blocking grade fell to 67.3 from PFF but jumped to 72.7 in pass blocking. It was his best year in terms of pressures and sacks, only allowing eight and one, respectively.
He was “one foot out the door” prior to the 2024 season but he elected to run it back alongside his teammates. In the national championship season, Jackson started off as the starting left guard but had to shift out to left tackle after the injury to Josh Simmons. Despite the switch, he was lock-down. He allowed two sacks across 816 total snaps and earned an overall grade of 71.8.
In his career, Jackson was named a First-Team All-Big Ten player three times and earned First-Team All-American honors from USA Today, The Sporting News, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated.
Ohio State LT Donovan Jackson in the College Football Playoffs:
126 Pass Block Snaps
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 23, 2025
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Strengths
- Has ideal NFL size and build
- Explosive first step
- Strong enough to absorb bull rushes and can stonewall elite defenders
- Versatility; kicked out to left tackle to no decline in play
- Incredibly athletic, can pull with ease and get to the second level in the run game
- Can identify and nullify stunts and twists
- Play continued at a high level against the best competition; allowed one pressure and no sacks in College Football Playoff
Weaknesses
- Has a tendency to play too high and is top-heavy
- Will need to work a bit on hand placement
- Was not as effective against fast defenders
- Will need to work on footwork
Best Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens
Projected Round: Late First/Early Second Round
Donovan Jackson in the NFL
NFL teams love offensive linemen with versatility. For two-plus seasons, Jackson played at an All-American level at left guard. Then, he played at an All-American level at left tackle. The overall feeling surrounding Jackson is that he will be a guard in the NFL but if the need arose that he had to play tackle, he can.
When it comes to some Power 4 prospects, there are always concerns that their productivity was stat padding against lesser foes in the Group of 5 or bottom of the respective conferences. For Jackson, he remained elite against elite competition. In the CFP, he played lights out against Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame, four teams with top-end defensive lines.
Jackson is as sure-fire as any in this draft class which looks to have a handful of solid offensive linemen at the top. He is a plug-and-play player from day one and will instantly make an offensive line better.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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