Minnesota Vikings select Donovan Jackson in 1st round of 2025 NFL Draft

After winning a national championship under Ryan Day, Ohio State is expected to have a great weekend in Green Bay. Offensive lineman Donovan Jackson will be a part of it, hearing his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jackson will be heading to the Minnesota Vikings after being the No. 24 overall pick in the first round. Guard was Jackson’s primary position in college but there is some tackle experience in there. During the process, teams widely considered him an interior player.

Ohio State had big-time injury problems at left tackle during the 2024 season. Jackson wound up taking one for the team and kicking outside. In what some might thought would be an issue, the offensive line play did more than hold up in front of quarterback Will Howard.

“Donovan Jackson, I could talk about him for 45 minutes,” Day said of his player. “What he did this past year and the unselfishness and the play. I mean, he went from guard to tackle and became one of the best tackles in the country. He was going to the NFL, and then at the last second decided he wanted to come back and play.”

Jackson played high school football at Bellaire (TX) Episcopal, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 14 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Donovan Jackson

Ahead of the draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein provided a scouting report on Jackson. He gave the positive and negatives on the Ohio State product, giving a score of 6.39 which translates to “will eventually be a plus starter.” A player comparison was even given out by Zierlein, likening Jackson to Wyatt Teller.

“Broad-framed three-year starter with core power and leg drive to hold the line of scrimmage or change it. He can stick and sustain in-line or on the second level and is a plus finisher. Jackson has the athleticism for all tasks as an outside-zone blocker. He is also able to accelerate and lead the way on long pulls or counters. He leans against stunting/slanting fronts, and he can be tardy in opening his hips and activating his feet for recoveries. He’s long but punches with wider hands and struggles to consistently maintain his edges when mirroring. Overall, Jackson has the measurables, power and movement for any scheme as a starting guard.”