The offensive line has been a strength for Urban Meyer's staff since taking over in 2012. They have played well in spite of inexperience, position changes and other unusual circumstances. Even so, the Buckeyes have cast their net wide searching for talent to play in the trenches.
On Thursday night, Ohio State offered one of the top 2016 offensive linemen in the country, four-star center Drake Jackson. The Buckeyes hope the Woodford County High School (Versailles, Ky.) standout will return their interest.
The 6-foot-2, 288-pound center has offers from some of the top programs in SEC country, including Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. The Buckeyes offered him on Thursday night, when Jackson called tight ends coach Tim Hinton on the phone.
"[The Buckeyes] told me that I was an offerable player a long time ago," Jackson told Eleven Warriors. "I called Ohio State on Thursday night, and Coach Hinton told me that I have an offer now."
Jackson was beyond excited to learn about the offer from Ohio State. "I was so hyped," he said with a laugh. "It's something that I set as a goal, and now I've reached it."
Jackson has certainly traveled enough to earn an offer; during the offseason, he went to Columbus for two unofficial visits and two football camps since last season. Jackson had nothing but good things to say about the visits, and he said he enjoyed getting to see the facilities.
"It is really cool to see the ins and outs of a top program like Ohio State," Jackson told Eleven Warriors. "I love the facilities. It seems like a great place to spend four years at."
Another thing Jackson likes about Ohio State is that two Buckeyes are starting centers in the NFL. Nick Mangold has been a star for the New York Jets since he was drafted in 2006, making five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. Corey Linsley did not expect to start as a rookie, but he has had a Pro Bowl-caliber season for the Green Bay Packers.
Jackson was well aware of Mangold and Linsley's position in the league, and he said it speaks well of OSU's development ability. "It is important to me because it proves that they can put that position in the NFL. Especially because Linsley is my size."
Woodford County went 4-7 this season, but Jackson knows there is always room for improvement in the game of football. He said he hopes to earn another playoff birth during his senior season in 2015.
Drake Jackson Highlights
So where do things stand with Jackson? Although Kentucky is tops on Jackson's list, he is also interested in Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee. He is set to visit Tennessee this weekend and Alabama for the Iron Bowl, and he wants to visit Ohio State soon.
Jackson said he hopes to end his recruitment in the next few months. If that's the case, the next visit could be pivotal for OSU to land one of the nation's top centers.
