Kenyatta Jackson got real about his Ohio State football teammate that everyone should have on breakout watch
Ohio State has a former transfer addition that very well could breakout for them this season. Kenyatta Jackson’s latest comments offer a good update on his pass rusher teammate.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have the makings of a strong defensive line again in 2026, but there are real questions about what the pass rush will look like opposite Kenyatta Jackson. With Caden Curry now in the NFL after leading the team in sacks last season, Ohio State needs someone to step up.
Senior defensive end Beau Atkinson is the name to watch during fall camp, and early returns from practice sound encouraging.
Atkinson came to Ohio State through the transfer portal after the 2024 season out of North Carolina, where he was an All-ACC caliber player. He recorded 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in 2024 with the Tar Heels. His first year in Columbus, though, told a different story. Atkinson played 11 games and recorded just one sack and 11 tackles, a significant drop-off as he adjusted to Big Ten play and fought for snaps.
The biggest issue was clear when he was on the field. Atkinson needed to be more flexible and develop better bend off the edge. That was the coaching staff’s message to him heading into the offseason, and according to Jackson, it’s a message Atkinson took to heart.
Jackson gives an encouraging update on his Ohio State teammate
During his media availability Friday, Jackson shared what he’s seen from Atkinson through the first few practices of fall camp.
“He put the work in behind the scenes for sure. I think Coach Johnson told him that he needed to be more flexible a little bit. He worked on that in the training room. He put the work in after practice each and every day and you can see every day. So that hard work is showing on the field right now.”
Atkinson has been taking first-team reps opposite Jackson in the early stages of camp. Listed at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, he has the kind of big, physical build Ohio State typically likes off the edge, similar to past Buckeyes like JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer.
What a breakout from Atkinson would mean for Ohio State’s defense
If Atkinson can become a reliable starter opposite Jackson, the Buckeyes’ defensive line depth gets a significant boost. Ohio State also has Alabama transfer Qua Russaw, sophomore Epi Sitanilei, and sophomore Zion Grady as additional pass rush options. Getting consistent production from Atkinson would allow those players to contribute in rotation rather than the latter two being forced into larger roles too early.
Year one at Ohio State didn’t go as planned for Atkinson, but a two-year development arc that leads to a breakout senior season in Columbus would be huge for the Buckeyes and for his NFL draft stock. The coming weeks of fall camp will tell us a lot about how far he’s come.
