Jeremiah Smith called out his Ohio State teammate with star potential in the best way possible at Big Ten Media Days
Jeremiah Smith knows one Ohio State football defender can be special for the Buckeyes in 2026, and it he made it clear with a lofty comparison at Big Ten Media Days.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are at Big Ten Media Days this week, and the 2026 college football season is getting closer by the day.
One player who became a talking point was Ohio State defensive end Kenyatta Jackson, who returns for his fifth season in Columbus, and Buckeyes superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith put some lofty expectations on his teammate’s shoulders with a Chase Young comparison.
Jackson was a high four-star recruit in the class of 2022 and has played for Ohio State the last three seasons. After recording just two sacks in three games as a true freshman, Jackson broke out last year with 6.5 sacks, 28 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 14 games played. The production showed he could be a player who potentially pushes double-digit sacks in 2026.
Jeremiah Smith sees Chase Young potential in Jackson
Smith called it like it is when discussing how he views Jackson heading into the fall, adding a little bit of pressure to his teammate to come out and perform.
“He’s a leader on the defense. He’s gonna have a big year, and that’s just somebody I believe in,” Smith said via 10TV’s Adam King. “I won’t say he got the Chase Young effect yet. He can have it. Like I’m always telling him like, bro, you could take over a game like you’re six-five, 260, whatever. Like you’re kind of like Chase Young, and hopefully he shows that this year.”
Comparing any player to Young is as high of pedigree as it gets for the Buckeyes. Young played three seasons at Ohio State and was an instant-impact player with 3.5 sacks as a freshman. He reached 10.5 sacks by his sophomore season. As a junior in 2019, Young posted 16.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. He was a Heisman finalist and did take over games, just like Smith described.
Kenyatta Jackson has the tools to be a star in 2026
If Jackson could be anything close to that level, it’s more than great news for Matt Patricia’s defense that was elite last year. It would also mean Jackson would end up a very high draft pick.
All the tools are there. Jackson is a 6-foot-6, 265-pound rusher with prototypical size and solid athleticism. The production came on last year after he had just a sack and a half in each of his previous two seasons. Each of those years, Jackson showed flashes of ability that made you think he could develop into a starter. Now entering his fifth year, the hope is he can become the sack leader for the Buckeyes and a potential star on the defensive side of the ball.
If Jackson can fulfill his full potential in 2026, good things are coming for him and Ohio State’s defense.