Donovan Jackson is a first-round NFL draft pick.
The Minnesota Vikings selected former Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night.
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Jackson is the second Buckeye selected in this year’s draft, joining wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 19 overall pick.
Jackson is the first Buckeye drafted by the Vikings since fellow former Ohio State guard Wyatt Davis in 2021.
Jackson anchored the Buckeyes' offensive line for the last three seasons, starting 40 games from 2022 through 2024, including 26 consecutive starts in 2022 and 2023 before he missed the first two games of 2024 with injury. Of those 40 starts, the first 31 came at left guard, which he was recruited to play as a five-star prospect out of Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas.
But then Ohio State's starting left tackle, Josh Simmons, suffered a season-ending injury against Oregon and the Buckeyes struggled to move the ball with his replacement, Zen Michalski, against Nebraska the following game. Despite playing guard all four of his years in Columbus, Jackson kicked outside to fill the left tackle position for his team.
All Jackson did was become one of the nation's best offensive tackles after a midseason transition. He allowed two sacks to No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter of Penn State in his first career start at left tackle, then never surrendered a sack the rest of the year despite facing a barrage of the nation's best defensive ends like Indiana's Mikhail Kamara, Michigan's Josaiah Stewart, Tennessee's James Pearce Jr., Oregon's Jordan Burch and Matayo Uiagalelei and Texas' Colin Simmons.
Jackson allowed just two quarterback pressures during the entire College Football Playoff, per Pro Football Focus. He closed his career as a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection.
A move back to guard is likely for Jackson at the next level, as the Vikings have a need at left guard that he will likely fill immediately, but Minnesota has proof he can kick out to tackle if needed in the future.
