‘He’s a prime breakout candidate’: Surprise new Ohio State starter becomes projected top-50 2026 NFL Draft pick
The Ohio State Buckeyes don’t rebuild, but they do reload with elite talent. Despite losing 15 starters to the NFL this past offseason, the Buckeyes boast another host of projected top-50 draft picks in 2026. Guys like Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Max Klare, and Carnell Tate should be first-rounders, but there are a few sleeping […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes don’t rebuild, but they do reload with elite talent. Despite losing 15 starters to the NFL this past offseason, the Buckeyes boast another host of projected top-50 draft picks in 2026. Guys like Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Max Klare, and Carnell Tate should be first-rounders, but there are a few sleeping giants stepping into bigger roles this fall.
One of those individuals is edge-rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound fourth-year junior has logged only 514 snaps throughout his career, but his 2024 season was promising. As the third edge, Jackson showed balance as a three-down option.
He created 17 quarterback pressures, two sacks, 12 run stops, and showed versatility as he played inside and outside. His film was good enough for The Athletic’s Dane Brugler to rank him 47th on his initial Big Board.
“After waiting his turn behind JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, Jackson now becomes a starter for the Buckeyes and is a prime breakout candidate,” Brugler wrote. “With his length and play strength, he sets a firm edge and can drive blockers backward as a pass rusher. Scouts are eager to see his development this season as he sees more consistent snaps.
NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings, a friend of mine who helped me run the draft department for a former entity, had this to say about Jackson after checking out his film.
“Kenyatta Jackson Jr. rightfully has much of the anticipation at EDGE for OSU — but let’s not forget UNC transfer Beau Atkinson. RS junior. 6’6”, 258. Was mainly a DPR in ’24 and needs to improve pad level, but has eye-catching burst, quicks, cornering ability. Potential riser.
