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Donovan Jackson on elite mindset, Ohio State recruiting efforts

Jeremy-Birminghamby:Jeremy Birmingham•03/09/20•

Birm

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Ohio State football recruiting can be a wild ride full of twists and turns as recruits from all over the country maneuver their way to signing day. Lettermen Row is here to help navigate the tumultuous roads by getting to the heart of the matter with the young football players themselves. Birminology shows who the young men being recruited by Ohio State truly are — by talking to them. This week’s guest is 2021 Ohio State commitment Donovan Jackson.

Sometimes taking the unexpected road just leads you where you wanted to be all along.

As a junior high student, Donovan Jackson wasn’t sure that football was going to be in his future. A little over a year later, the now 6-foot-4, 310-pound offensive line prospect had a scholarship offer from Ohio State and many other top schools around the country. Two years later, the country’s top-ranked guard is committed to the Buckeyes and beginning to prepare himself for a future that pays homage to his family’s past: his mother is from Cincinnati, his father is from Cleveland.

Jackson found his home right in the middle.

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Donovan Jackson has been all smiles since committing to Ohio State. (Todd Jackson/Courtesy)

“We both told him he has no boundaries on his decision,” the elder Jackson told Lettermen Row following his visit to Columbus last April. “We’ll be there by car or by plane to support him. My wife is from Ohio, and I grew up in Cleveland.”

Jackson committed to Ohio State officially in January, but did so privately following the Buckeyes home game against Penn State in November. It was not what he expected to do, but felt there was no reason to hold back.

“I have had the best relationship with [Buckeyes offensive line coach] Greg Studrawa throughout this process which ultimately lead to my decision,” Jackson said following his announcement. “It’s how he develops his players and treats them like you’re a part of his family.”

Now that he’s part of the Ohio State family, what has Donovan Jackson been filling his time with? Why did he commit when he did? What role does he see himself playing for the Buckeyes? How good is his impression of Greg Studrawa?

Found out those things and much more on the latest episode of Birminology, brought to you by Lettermen Row.

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