Donovan Jackson
Donovan Jackson  OT  Ohio State | NFL Draft 2025 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Donovan Jackson
Height
6-4
Weight
315
College
Ohio State
Position
OT
Class
Senior
Home town
Bellaire, TX
84.2/100
Player Rating
14
PositionRank (OL)
5.2
FortyYD Time

Donovan Jackson OT Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Donovan Jackson OT Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL
Last Updated: 02/23/2025
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 5.20 seconds (63%*)
Age: 22.3 DOB: 12/04/2002
Measurables:
Height: 6-4 (17%*) Weight: 315 (49%*)
Hands: 9 7/8 (40%*) Arm: 33 1/2 (33%*)
Forty: 5.20 (O) (63%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL
Last Updated: 02/23/2025
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 5.20 seconds (63%*)
Age: 22.3 DOB: 12/04/2002
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-4 (17%*) Weight: 315 (49%*)
Hands: 9 7/8 (40%*) Arm: 33 1/2 (33%*)
Forty: 5.20 (O) (63%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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Overall Rating: 84.2 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
75%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Pass Blocking:
74%
Run Blocking:
75%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 3rd
Overall Rank: #82 Position rank: #14
College Games: 47 College Snaps: 2377
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 86/100
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 5  Stars 247 Sports 99 Stars 247 RATING: 99/100
Grade: 5 Stars 5 Stars RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Isaiah Adams - Illinois
91%
Caedan Wallace - Penn State
88%
Blake Fisher - Notre Dame
88%
Draft Profile: Bio
The journey from five-star Texas high school prodigy to Ohio State national champion perfectly encapsulates Donovan Jackson's meteoric rise. After dominating the prep ranks at Episcopal High School, where he captured the Southwest Preparatory Conference 4A title, Jackson arrived in Columbus as the nation's top-ranked guard prospect in 2021. His trajectory since then has been nothing short of remarkable.

Jackson's collegiate career began with spot duty as a freshman before he seized the starting left guard role in 2022, anchoring an offensive line that finished sixth nationally in tackles for loss allowed. His junior campaign saw him earn First-Team All-Big Ten honors while helping power an offense that averaged nearly 500 yards per game. But it was his senior season that truly showcased his versatility – when injuries struck the offensive line, Jackson seamlessly slid out to left tackle, maintaining elite play against college football's top pass rushers during Ohio State's championship run.

By the time his Buckeyes career concluded, Jackson had accumulated over 2,500 snaps, earned three First-Team All-Big Ten selections, and garnered All-American recognition from multiple publications. His academic achievements, including Distinguished Scholar honors, demonstrated the same dedication off the field that made him such a force between the white lines.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Imposing frame with ideal mass (320 lbs) and leverage, coupled with exceptional arm length, providing an elite power base for the position
  • Core strength and anchor are NFL-ready – watch him stone rush attempts from Michigan's front seven in their rivalry matchup
  • Shows nasty finishing instinct in the run game, consistently driving defenders five yards off the ball before planting them
  • Elite football IQ evident in how quickly he diagnoses and neutralizes complex defensive line stunts and twists
  • Grip strength is special – once he locks onto defenders' chest plate, they rarely break free before the whistle
  • Rare versatility proven by seamless transition to left tackle midseason – didn't allow a single sack in college playoff games
  • Initial punch packs serious thunder and his length keeps defenders from getting into his frame
  • Shows excellent coordination between upper and lower body, maintaining leverage through contact while driving feet
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Can get caught playing too tall in pass protection, especially against smaller, quicker defensive tackles who get under his pads
  • Hand placement occasionally runs wide, leaving his chest exposed to counter moves from skilled pass rushers
  • Shows some stiffness when forced to quickly redirect against speed rushers working back inside
  • Can get overaggressive seeking contact in space, leading to whiffed blocks against more elusive second-level defenders
  • Timing getting off combo blocks to linebackers needs refinement – occasionally late releasing to pick up scraping defenders
Scouting Report: Summary
Jackson shows the makings of a capable NFL offensive lineman who could develop into a starter with proper coaching. His performance against elite competition – particularly that four-game championship stretch where he showed well in pass protection – demonstrates potential, though there's still room for technical refinement. The positional flexibility he displayed stepping out to tackle during Ohio State's title run adds intrigue to his evaluation.

Jackson projects best at guard in a system that can develop his natural tools. His experience in Ohio State's diverse run scheme gives him foundation in both gap and zone concepts, while his proven ability to handle edge duties in a pinch offers roster flexibility. The raw materials are there – he flashes the leverage against power rushers and shows glimpses of the footwork needed to handle NFL-caliber defenders.

Look for Jackson to come off the board in the third round, where teams will see him as a high-upside developmental prospect with the potential to compete for starting duties by year two. He's the type of prospect that will benefit greatly from NFL coaching – the physical tools are evident, but he needs time to refine his technique and adjust to the speed of the pro game. While not a plug-and-play starter, Jackson has the foundation to grow into a reliable NFL contributor with proper development.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)

Donovan Jackson percentiles vs other Offensive Tackles (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate Donovan Jackson (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
42.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
9.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.