Ohio State’s offensive line leader returning for fourth season, putting off NFL Draft

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Donovan Jackson took on a bigger leadership role in his second season as an Ohio State football starter, leading the entire team in some fiery pregame huddles.

He announced he will bring that veteran presence back for a fourth season in 2024 via a social media video of his highlights over the song “JOY” by Voices of Fire featuring Pharrell. The two-year starter at left guard will not enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jackson was a five-star prospect ranked No. 19 overall in the 247Sports composite for the 2021 class. He was one of the headliners in an OSU signing class which ranked No. 2 overall. Landing a major prospect from Texas, even one with deep Ohio ties, stands up as the last major out-of-state or region recruiting win on the offensive line.

Jackson started all 26 games over the past two seasons at left guard, where his athleticism serves as an asset in the run game. However, he may have been convinced to return for a fourth season when his draft stock did not significantly increase this season.

An offensive line breaking in three new starters, including transfer left tackle Josh Simmons, did not start to come together until midseason. It then suffered one of its worst games of the season in the Cotton Bowl in Simmons’ home state of Texas.

For those reasons, it is not a surprise Jackson would return for a fourth season to try and reach that compelling upside. He is one of four returning starters, along with Simmons, center Carson Hinzman and right tackle Josh Fryar. However, OSU also added former Alabama starting center Seth McLaughlin via the transfer portal last week.