Antwuan Jackson nearly signed with Ohio State two years ago, but decided to stay closer to home and committed to Auburn instead. Then after redshirting his freshman season with the Tigers, the Ellenwood, Georgia, native decided to he wanted to transfer out of the program.
Auburn blocked a possible transfer to Ohio State, though, as well as any other SEC school, Clemson, Georgia Southern and Mercer. So Jackson chose to go the Junior College route instead, and landed at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas.
“It was very rough for me and my dad,” Jackson told Eleven Warriors. “Being denied [the chance to transfer to Ohio State] hit pretty hard because they're telling me I can't attend other schools outside of the conference. My dad was scared that I wouldn't get into school by the fall, so dealing with that was hard on me, too.”
The Buckeyes offered Jackson a scholarship two weeks ago, and he pledged his services on Tuesday afternoon.
Proud to announce that I'm committed to THE hio State University #OhioState #BUCKEYES #BuckeyeNation pic.twitter.com/TmFc8QYEHz
— Antwuan Jackson (@Hercules__52) September 12, 2017
The Jackson File
- Class: 2018
- Size: 6-foot-3, 305 pounds
- Pos: DT
- School: Blinn College (Brenham, TX)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 7 (2016 DT)
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Jackson is not yet ranked as a junior college prospect, but was considered the seventh-best defensive tackle and No. 51 prospect overall in the Class of 2016. He picked the Buckeyes over offers from Alabama and South Carolina.
Jackson never elaborated on the reason(s) for his departure, though many have speculated he was unhappy with being redshirted during his freshman season — which is exactly the reason former Blinn and current Ohio State cornerback Kendall Sheffield left Alabama last summer. That makes two years in a row the Buckeyes have landed a pledge from the junior college program.
Jackson — who took an official visit to Ohio State for the 2015 loss to Michigan State — becomes the 18th member of the Buckeyes' Supreme '18 recruiting class, joining five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent at the position.
