Jayden Jackson remembers all too well watching Ohio State growing up.
So when OSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson offered him on Wednesday, the defensive tackle prospect couldn’t contain his excitement.
“I’ve been there multiple times and I was hoping that would be a school I eventually got an offer to,” Jackson told Eleven Warriors. “I’ve liked them ever since I was a kid. They’ve always been a college that shines, them winning the championship (in 2014) when I was a kid definitely piqued my interest.”
After having a great conversation with the dline coach @R2X_Rushmen1 Im truly blessed to be givin an opportunity to play at my dream school @OhioStateFB. I want to thank the coaches who have given me this opportunity. I also want to thank god and my mother for everything. #OH pic.twitter.com/o8L3AYFlbJ
— Jayden Jackson (@JaydenJackson65) January 11, 2023
While Jackson currently resides in Florida and plays for the vaunted IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida), he grew up in the Midwest and a good portion of his family still resides in Brownsburg, Indiana.
“Just playing close to my family, and at a place that I’ve always wanted to go to since I was a kid,” Jackson said about the most appealing thing about potentially playing for Ohio State.
Jackson wasn’t the only IMG Academy prospect Johnson offered Wednesday. The Buckeyes also extended an offer to top-10 prospect David Stone Jr., and the pair discuss teaming up in college.
“David Stone is my boy,” Jackson said. “I’d definitely want to team up with him at the next level, whether it’s at Ohio State or somewhere else.”
Jackson does not hold a composite ranking from 247Sports at this point, but he’s picked up nine Division I offers in total, including OSU, Tennessee and Penn State. Jackson attended an OSU recruiting camp and also as a freshman, so Johnson is familiar with the 6-foot-2, 290-pound prospect’s skill set.
“I’d probably say my physicality straight off the line,” Jackson said of his best on-field attribute. “A lot of guards and centers usually don’t expect it. So that allows me to shed and make the tackle.”
Though a date isn’t set in stone, Jackson says he plans to visit Ohio State in the near future.
“I was talking to my mom, I don’t know when, but we’ll definitely be out there soon,” Jackson said.
Jackson doesn’t have a commitment timeline in mind to make a decision but does have factors in his recruitment that are important to him.
“I’d definitely say a strong relationship with the coaches and a good program overall for defensive linemen,” Jackson said.
Justin Scott to commit Jan. 31
One of Ohio State’s top priorities at defensive tackle for the 2024 class is ready to make a decision. Five-star Chicago prospect Justin Scott announced he will make a decision on Jan. 31, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound prospect’s birthday.
I will be announcing my commitment on my birthday (January 31st)!
— Justin Scott (@juustinscott) January 14, 2023
Earlier this month, Scott released a top eight consisting of Ohio State, USC, Notre Dame, Colorado, Oregon, Miami, Alabama and Michigan. Scott received an offer from Ohio State earlier this fall, then took a gameday visit to Columbus on Oct. 1 for the Rutgers game. Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Scott is considered the 18th-best prospect and fourth-ranked defensive lineman in the 2024 class.
OSU will find out in approximately two weeks if it has done enough to land one of its most coveted targets on the defensive line.
Adrian Posse decommits from Auburn
Ever since five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola decommitted from Ohio State in December, the Buckeyes have had to go back to the drawing board to find a replacement signal caller in their 2024 class.
Of the other three quarterbacks they’ve offered this cycle, only one — Jadyn Davis — is currently uncommitted. Well, that was until four-star Florida signal caller Adrian Posse decommitted from Auburn on Saturday.
Jeremiah 29:11 recruitment 100% open. pic.twitter.com/XYqsIt8K1F
— Adrian Posse (@posse_adrian) January 15, 2023
Posse, considered the 187th-best prospect and 15th-rated signal caller in 2024, had visited OSU multiple times before committing to Auburn. Following his decommitment, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound quarterback could reemerge as an option for the Buckeyes.
