Meet the unsung hero who saved Ohio State's season with selfless position change
Oftentimes, the hero in a program's success is obvious. The Buckeyes knew Jeremiah Smith, TreVeyon Henderson, and Cody Simon could be relied upon. But when the 2024 season brought a devastating injury to left tackle Josh Simmons, Ohio State had to look for an internal answer who lacked qualifications. Thankfully, Donovan Jackson stepped up to […]
Oftentimes, the hero in a program's success is obvious. The Buckeyes knew Jeremiah Smith, TreVeyon Henderson, and Cody Simon could be relied upon. But when the 2024 season brought a devastating injury to left tackle Josh Simmons, Ohio State had to look for an internal answer who lacked qualifications.
Thankfully, Donovan Jackson stepped up to the plate. The former elite recruit was a stalwart at left guard, projecting as a Day 2 prospect in the 2024 and 2025 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder became Ohio State's best left tackle option after Simmons' injury and Zen Michalski was exposed in his time at the position.
Jackson had plenty to lose by taking the risk. After spending 1,963 snaps at left guard and 70 at right guard and tackle over four years, he took his first snaps as a left tackle in 2024 in the midst of a College Football Playoff race. Those snaps came at Happy Valley as the Buckeyes took on a Penn State squad that is making its way to the national title game.
While Jackson allowed his only two sacks of the season in that matchup, his impact in the run game was massive. And, importantly, the Buckeyes saw improvement at other positions despite All-American center Seth McLaughlin also going down with an injury. Jackson's willingness to slide outside gave Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld the chance to fill in.
The Rose Bowl was the latest test for Jackson and the revamped Buckeyes offensive line. Allowing zero sacks and only one quarterback hit against the Ducks, it's safe to say the senior led the Ohio State offense at the most critical point of the year. The Buckeyes totaled 500 yards and racked up 34 first-half points.
It was such a beatdown that the fourth quarter was essentially a celebratory event for the Buckeyes as they exacted revenge for Oregon's home 32-31 win in October. Jackson's crew of blockers were spectacular, opening lanes for the Buckeyes to run for 181 yards and average 5.8 yards per attempt.
Jackson has been very good, clearly leading a group of good but not amazing individual talents along the line. His on-field play might help his 2025 NFL Draft stock, though scouts see Jackson as too small to stay at left tackle full-time. But he's certainly helped himself through leadership and by filling in as an emergency option.
We won't see Jackson earn the first-round billing or retired jersey one day, but the four-year contributor has reshaped the Buckeyes in a critical stretch where Ryan Day was fighting for his job and the program was in a pickle after losing The Game for the fourth-straight time.
That makes Jackson a truly unsung hero.
