Donovan Jackson OG Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Donovan Jackson OG Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/26/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.20 seconds (72%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.0 DOB: 12/04/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Multi-role OL | |
| Last Updated: 09/26/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.20 seconds (72%*) | |
| Age: 22.0 DOB: 12/04/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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71% |
| Run Blocking: |
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73% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#180
Position rank:
#33
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| College Games: 45 College Snaps: 2262 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 99/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Jones - Ohio State |
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90% |
| Lecitus Smith - Virginia Tech |
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86% |
| Chandler Zavala - NC State |
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77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Donovan Jackson, a standout offensive guard from Ohio State, has been turning heads since his high school days in Bellaire, Texas. A consensus five-star recruit, Jackson dominated at Episcopal High School, showcasing his prowess not only on the gridiron but also in shotput and discus. His exceptional talent caught the eye of several top-tier programs, but it was the Buckeyes who ultimately secured his commitment.At Ohio State, Jackson wasted no time making his presence felt. After seeing action in all 13 games as a true freshman, he locked down the starting left guard spot for the next two seasons. His performances earned him back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and 2023, solidifying his status as one of the premier offensive linemen in college football. Jackson's decision to return for his senior year speaks volumes about his commitment to perfecting his craft and competing for a national title.
Off the field, Jackson has proven to be equally impressive. A three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, he's shown the mental acuity that NFL teams covet. His internship with Ohio State's athletic department demonstrates a well-rounded approach to his collegiate experience, hinting at a player who understands the broader aspects of the sport beyond the chalk 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
- Explosive first step off the snap, displaying elite athleticism that allows him to reach the second level with ease in run blocking
- Demonstrates overwhelming knock-back power at the point of attack, consistently driving defenders off the line of scrimmage
- Exhibits superior anchoring ability in pass protection, effectively neutralizing power rushers with his core and lower body strength
- Showcases excellent lateral mobility, effortlessly mirroring and redirecting against quick interior defenders in pass pro
- Utilizes a wide base and tight hand placement in pass sets, creating a synergetic blocking technique that's difficult to penetrate
- Displays high football IQ, particularly in picking up stunts and looping rushers, rarely caught out of position
- Brings a physical, finishing mentality to his blocks, consistently looking to pancake defenders and set a tone in the trenches
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Occasionally fails to fully harness his explosiveness out of his stance, leading to suboptimal pad level and leverage issues
- Can get caught playing too high in space, negatively impacting his ability to sustain blocks on the move
- Hand placement can be inconsistent at times, leading to grabbing and wrapping instead of striking through the target
- Displays some hip stiffness when redirecting in space, potentially limiting his effectiveness on pulls and screens
- Lacks significant positional versatility, likely confined to guard at the next level without tackle or center experience
Scouting Report: Summary
Jackson projects as a day one starter at guard with the potential to become a cornerstone of an offensive line. His rare combination of size, power, and athleticism makes him scheme-versatile, capable of excelling in both gap and zone running systems. In pass protection, Jackson's ability to anchor against power and mirror quickness will be immediately translatable to the pro game.While there's room for technical refinement, particularly in his hand usage and pad level consistency, Jackson's floor appears to be that of a solid NFL starter. With continued development, he has the ceiling of a Pro Bowl-caliber guard who can dominate in the run game and provide stalwart pass protection. Teams utilizing power run schemes may value Jackson even more highly, as his ability to generate movement at the point of attack is among the best in this draft class.
Donovan Jackson enters the NFL draft as one of the top interior offensive line prospects, with the potential to hear his name called early on day two, if not late in the first round.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Donovan Jackson percentiles vs other Offensive Guards (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Donovan Jackson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
57.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*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.
*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.