Ohio State's defensive line will have its full complement of starters once again vs. Illinois.
Starting defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. will return for Ohio State after suffering an upper-body stinger against Minnesota last week, Ryan Day confirmed at the Buckeyes' hotel arrival on Friday.
“Kenyatta's here, so he'll be available and ready to roll,” Day told reporters.
Jackson went down against Minnesota following a big first-quarter hit to quarterback Drake Lindsey that forced an incompletion, staying on the ground for a while before being escorted off the field by the Ohio State training staff. He came out of the locker room in street clothes for the second half and did not return to the game.
Jackson has six tackles with two tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup thus far in 2025. He starts opposite fellow fourth-year player and breakout star Caden Curry off the edge for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State will be happy to have his services back when it kicks off against Illinois at noon Saturday on FOX.
