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Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson selected 24th overall in first round of 2025 NFL Draft

Spencer-Holbrookby: Spencer Holbrook04/25/25SpencerHolbrook
Donovan Jackson by Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State's Donovan Jackson looks on during a 20-13 win at Penn State. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson arrived on campus as a five-star recruit ready to make an impact.

He leaves as a national champion, and now he’s beginning his pro career yet again with high expectations. Jackson was drafted Thursday night by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 24 overall pick in the XX round.

Jackson started 14 of the 16 games Ohio State played last season, five at left guard and then nine at left tackle after Josh Simmons was hurt in mid-October and Zen Michalski was hurt the following game. Over the course of his three years as a starting offensive lineman for the Buckeyes, Jackson started 40 games, 31 at left guard.

Of course, he was impressive in his switch to left tackle, helping lead the Buckeyes to a national championship with the four-game run through the College Football Playoff wins over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame. During that four-game run, Jackson blocked some of the best defensive ends in college football — and thrived.

Jackson was part of an offensive line that shuffled lineups because of injuries, particularly to fellow top NFL Draft prospect Josh Simmons, and the line saw no drop-off despite moving pieces nearly every week of September and October.

With his stellar versatility on full display and a national title pedigree, Jackson began vaulting up NFL Draft boards during the pre-draft process. He impressed off the field as well, leading the Buckeyes locker room while also acing his pre-draft interviews and meetings.

With all of that, Donovan Jackson is now heading to Vikings as a first-round NFL Draft choice. He’ll begin his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings.

Ohio State players available in NFL Draft

QB Will Howard
RB TreVeyon Henderson
RB Quinshon Judkins
TE Gee Scott Jr.
OT Josh Simmons
OT Josh Fryar
OL Seth McLaughlin
DE Jack Sawyer
DE J.T. Tuimoloau
DT Tyleik Williams
DT Ty Hamilton
LB Cody Simon
SAF Lathan Ransom
CB Denzel Burke
DB Jordan Hancock