Ohio State lands Rutgers grad transfer guard Jonah Jackson

Ohio State had plenty of questions on the offensive line for fall, even after the 2019 recruiting class saw four signees up front for the Buckeyes. Depth was considered an issue, and perhaps more importantly, Ohio State was seemingly without a fifth starter following the departures of Isaiah Prince, Malcolm Pridgeon, Demetrius Knox and Michael Jordan.

Today, it seems that Ryan Day has found his newest starter, as Rutgers grad transfer Jonah Jackson announced that he’d be playing his final year in Columbus, per a report from Lettermen Row.

The importance of this announcement for the Buckeyes really can’t be overstated. Jackson was excellent for Rutgers last season, and with a wide open vacancy at one of the two guard spots, Ohio State had very few answers on the roster. The Buckeyes seem to know their other four starters — Thayer Munford, Wyatt Davis, Josh Myers and Branden Bowen — but behind them is, frankly, a whole lot of unproven talent.

Jackson gives the Buckeyes a steady, experienced starter to plug right into that group, allows them to move Bowen outside to tackle, and provides even more security around what will likely be a first-year center in Myers. On top of that, this move allows the Buckeyes to redshirt most — if not all — of their incoming freshmen, rather than forcing someone like Harry Miller onto the field before he’s ready to play.

The Buckeyes beat out Oklahoma and Texas for Jackson, in a battle that quite a few thought was trending away from the Buckeyes as recently as late last week. Jackson had an excellent visit to Columbus, but enjoyed his visit to Norman quite a bit as well. There was a growing concern that Oklahoma, rather than Ohio State, would be the choice for Jackson. However, the chance to play closer to home, in Ryan Day’s offense, was just too much to pass up.