In the midst of an interview with Kenyatta Jackson Jr., a reporter started asking whether the hulking the defensive end ever considered entering the transfer portal while at Ohio State.
The question was not out of the interviewer's mouth before Jackson gave a repeated one-word answer.
“Never,” Jackson told Eleven Warriors. “Never.”
Now in his third year backing up veterans JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer at the position, Jackson has found an expanded role as a redshirt sophomore. Despite the patience required to arrive at his current position, and as cliché as it may sound to some, it’s his bonds with defensive line coach Larry Johnson and the teammates around him that have kept him locked in as a Buckeye.
“The brotherhood here, the culture,” Jackson said. “Coach J, Coach (Jim) Knowles, Coach Ryan Day, it’s the culture here, it’s the culture. And then the brotherhood at the same time. I love these guys, I wouldn't be in no place else, no place else but with these guys.”
Jackson’s dedication has been rewarded with a significant uptick in playing time this year.
He’s been Ohio State’s top defensive end off the bench each of the last two seasons, but after playing 176 snaps (13.5 per game) in 2023 he’s jumped to 299 snaps (19.9 per game) in 2024. Jackson has seen at least 15 reps in 14 of the Buckeyes’ 15 contests and with it has come the best production of his career to date, with 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
“It’s a blessing,” Jackson said. “Coach J, he was there from the start and he’s still here to this day, has 100 percent faith in me, it’s a blessing. Most coaches, they’ll give up on their players, whatever, but that’s not Coach J. That’s not Coach Johnson. I’m just thankful for that, thankful to be in this opportunity behind guys like Jack and JT, Ty Hamilton, Tyleik Williams, great leaders, great men.”
Jackson considers Johnson another family member. He described the intense instructor of front four play “relaxed” off the field, though hanging at the coach’s house often becomes a film session, as Jackson also described Johnson as a “film junkie.”
“We have a lot of things in common,” Jackson said. “I tell people this all the time. I can literally call Coach J another grandfather if I can, and that's for all the players. Going to his house and stuff like that just to kick it with him, coming in his office just to express yourself. Once again, it's just a blessing to have that type of coach in your life. I love him and I know he loves me back.”
It’s been a long process of maturing for Jackson to get comfortable waiting his turn, even if he didn’t consider hopping into the portal.
“Mentally and spiritually,” Jackson said of where he’s grown the most this year. “We went to church and stuff like that (growing up) but college really made me open my eyes, tap in more to my spiritual side. Then mentally, an 18-year-old kid that's coming in, thinking he’s going to play and stuff like that and things don’t go his way, that can be (discouraging). But as time goes on and on, you just tap into what the coaches are saying and what they’re preaching, you just put your 100 percent faith in them and put your 100 percent faith in God.”
Jackson will undoubtedly have a role for Ohio State when it takes on Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday. But his patience also has him in prime position to star off the edge for the Buckeyes in 2025 after the departure of Sawyer and Tuimoloau. He’s preparing to fill their void as locker room leaders as well.
“I'm trying to win a national championship on Monday, but a couple of things I'm working on right now is just really tapping into that leadership role,” Jackson said. “That guide role, if that makes sense. Little things can’t affect me, I have to take it to the chin and just keep on going.”
His honorary grandfather expects big things.
"KJ's been really special," Johnson said. "He's got a great year ahead of him next year."
