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2028 five-star in-state defensive lineman Jameer Whyce commits to the Buckeyes.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is eager for more opportunities to put his pass-rushing skill on display.
The redshirt junior defensive end’s primary role this season has been to “cage the pocket,” meaning he’s been responsible for not allowing quarterbacks to get outside of the pocket and extend plays with their feet. He’s done a great job playing that role, helping lead the way up front for an Ohio State defense that leads the nation with just 6.8 points allowed per game this season.
But Jackson, who was hyped up by his teammates as a potential first-round pick entering the season, hasn’t had a lot of production as a pass-rusher, recording just 1.5 sacks in Ohio State’s first six games. As such, he’s told Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia that he’d like more chances to “use my pass-rush moves.”
“I'm doing things that I wouldn't say I don't like, but sacrificing for the team. I'm a team player first, so I think my year is going well, but I would like to do other things,” Jackson told reporters on Wednesday. “I talked to Coach P about that, and he's open to it.”
Jackson felt comfortable expressing his desire for an expanded role to Patricia because of the relationship he has with Ohio State’s first-year defensive coordinator.
“Our relationship is great. It's through the roof. When I came up to him and we had those conversations, he was cool with it,” Jackson said. “He was just saying, just don't run behind the quarterback, and that was it.”
With Jackson doing his job on the edge, other players on Ohio State’s defensive front have put up big numbers this year. Caden Curry ranks in the top 10 nationally in sacks (six) and tackles for loss (9.5). Kayden McDonald joined Curry in earning second-team AP midseason All-American honors after he recorded 26 tackles with six tackles for loss and three sacks in Ohio State’s first six games. First-team All-American Arvell Reese has been unleashed as a playmaker from the middle linebacker spot, tallying 38 tackles with 4.5 sacks in the first half of the regular season.
Regarded as a top leader on the defensive line, Jackson takes pride in their success.
“I just go out there, try to do my job to the best that I can, try to be a leader, like I've been since winter, push the guys,” Jackson said.
“I'm doing things that I wouldn't say I don't like, but sacrificing for the team. I'm a team player first, so I think my year is going well, but I would like to do other things.”– Kenyatta Jackson Jr. on his role in Ohio State’s defense
But even with as dominant as the defense has been so far this season, Jackson knows there’s still a long way to go for the Buckeyes to reach their goals.
“It's very great,” Jackson said of Ohio State’s early-season success on defense, “but the season's not done. The job's not done. We have much bigger goals to accomplish, and kudos to those guys (who have had great seasons so far), but we have bigger goals.”
Ohio State’s defense has done an excellent job of caging the pocket. Opposing quarterbacks haven’t had much success running the ball against the Buckeyes this season; most notably, the Buckeyes limited Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro to three net rushing yards and Washington quarterback Demond Williams to a net rushing loss of -28 yards (with six sacks), even though they each average more than 60 rushing yards per game.
But the Buckeyes followed up those games with just one sack against Minnesota, and their pass rush was stagnant at times against Illinois’ pass-heavy attack, although the Buckeyes finished the game with four sacks.
As such, Jackson believes he can make a bigger impact individually than he’s made so far. But he’ll continue to play whatever role he’s asked to play as he puts the team’s success first. And he’s confident his teammates will continue to do the same.
“Just playing as one big family,” Jackson said of what’s driven the defense’s success. “Everybody do their job. We're not selfish. Just go out there and play team ball.”
Jackson’s coaches and teammates have appreciated his unselfishness and his effort this season.
“You're seeing KJ play with just great energy in the game. His body language, in my opinion, was as good as I've ever seen it,” Day said after Ohio State’s win at Washington. “He played with great poise. He was encouraging his teammates. I thought he had showed great leadership in the game and played really, really well.”
