Ohio State Buckeyes EDGE Kenyatta Jackson Jr. may finally live up to the hype during the 2026 College Football season, earning 2027 NFL draft consideration and making OSU dangerous rushing the quarterback. That's what CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah foresees, anyway, including Jackson in his list of 10 under-the-radar players who will raise their draft stock this fall.
Per Jeyarajah, "Betting on Ohio State defensive linemen has become an easy moneymaking opportunity, and Jackson appears next in line. The rising senior posted 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks during his first major opportunity, including sacks against Indiana, Michigan, and Penn State. With Caden Curry out of the way, Jackson's stats will rise to match his impressive frame."
Jackson could thrive with Alabama Crimson Tide transfer Qua Russaw stepping up this spring and proving he still has untapped potential that Kane Wommack couldn't harness the past several seasons after redshirting for the man who recruited him to Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban. Beau Atkinson and Zion Grady look like depth pieces early on, if high-end ones.
Jackson had 28 tackles, 11 TFL, and 6.5 sacks during the 2025 season. That production earned him Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. Truthfully, Jackson is capable of so much more than Honorable Mention status.
Sounds like there's high confidence he's about to do that.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. returning to Buckeyes for greater purpose than 2027 NFL draft
First and foremost, Jackson wants to get better. That's why he forewent the 2027 NFL draft. He's back to improve his draft stock. The Chaminade-Madonna product shared more reasons for why he's rocking the Scarlet and Gray again that go beyond the field.
“I came back just to be a more complete football player, not just on the field, but off the field with IQ and things of that nature,” Jackson said. “I'm taking a leadership role. We have new guys in the room. I'm just taking them in and showing them the ropes of Ohio State football, the standard of what Ohio State football is.”
We'll see if purpose and preparation bring out the best in Jackson ahead of a pivotal year for him and his teammates. If Ohio State can rely on him to wreck opposing backfields, the 2026 season has a sky-high ceiling.
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