The Ohio State Buckeyes are preparing for their matchup against the Miami Hurricanes. This is going to be a big matchup, but no player is more ready for this game than Ohio State defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Jackson is a Miami native, and both he and his entire family grew up as Hurricanes fans. Granted, his family has become pretty big Buckeyes fans over the last few years, thanks to Jackson's great career with Ohio State. However, now Jackson will face his favorite childhood team, and it is something he has always wished for.
Jackson said in a recent interview that playing against Miami has been something he always hoped for, and now he will get that chance.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. said his family were huge Miami Hurricanes fans growing up. He said he’s been hoping for the opportunity to play against Miami for a long time.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 23, 2025
Ohio State and Miami are set to face off in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on New Year's Eve as they are the first game of the Quarterfinal round. It has been a long time since the Buckeyes and the Hurricanes have faced off, 14 years to be exact. The last time these two teams met was in 2011 in an early-season matchup.
The Buckeyes and the Hurricanes have only faced off four times, one of those matchups coming in the National Championship for the 2002-2003 college football season.
Jackson wasn't even born when Ohio State and Miami played in that game, but he should remember the last matchup between the Hurricanes and Buckeyes. Back then, Jackson would have been very happy with the result as Miami won that matchup 24-6.
Now, Jackson has the opportunity to beat his childhood team and send them home early in the College Football Playoff. Jackson already has a National Championship with Ohio State from last season, but he is ready to get another one, and right now, Miami is standing in the way of that.