Ohio State Players Expecting Big Things from Kenyatta Jackson Jr. in 2025: “He Looks Like A First-Round D-End”
The whispers around the Woody Hayes Athletic Center are growing louder — and they’re all centered on one name: Kenyatta Jackson Jr. As Ohio State ramps up for the 2025 season, teammates, coaches, and NFL scouts are zeroing in on the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end who’s poised to explode onto the national stage.
“He looks like a first-round D-end, and he’s starting to play like one too,” said senior linebacker C.J. Hicks after a summer workout session. “He’s faster off the edge than anyone I’ve seen here since Chase Young.”
Jackson, a former four-star recruit from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida, arrived in Columbus with raw athleticism and an intimidating wingspan. But in 2025, he’s transformed both physically and mentally. His frame has filled out, his technique has sharpened, and his presence on the field is undeniable. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson, a legendary developer of talent, calls Jackson “the next great one in the Rushmen lineage.”
Insiders say it began in spring practice. Onlookers noticed Jackson consistently collapsing pockets and terrorizing quarterbacks in scrimmages. One particularly jaw-dropping moment came during the team’s spring game, when Jackson swam past projected All-Big Ten left tackle Josh Simmons and strip-sacked the quarterback in one fluid motion. “That play? That wasn’t a fluke,” said rising safety Caleb Downs. “That’s who he is now — disruptive, relentless, and locked in.”
Coaches have also praised Jackson’s off-field commitment. He’s been spending extra hours in the film room, studying greats like Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa, perfecting his bend and pad level. His footwork drills have become legendary among the team — sometimes even drawing spectators during early morning sessions. “He’s obsessed with getting better,” Johnson said. “That’s what makes him dangerous.”
Jackson’s newfound dominance is coming at the perfect time. With J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer off to the NFL after 2024, the Buckeyes are relying on Jackson to anchor a new-look pass rush. If he delivers, he could not only elevate Ohio State’s defense to elite status but also punch his own ticket to the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“He’s got the tools — now he’s putting it all together,” said quarterback Devin Brown. “We have to go against him in practice, and trust me, it’s not fun.”
As preseason buzz grows, Jackson is keeping a low profile. When asked about the hype, he simply smiled. “I haven’t done anything yet,” he said. “I want to earn everything this year — the sacks, the wins, the respect.”
If early signs are any indication, he’s well on his way. In the eyes of many in Columbus, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. isn’t just the next man up — he might be Ohio State’s next great defensive legend.
