Former Ohio State defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson signs contract with Carolina Panthers
COLUMBUS — Former Ohio State defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson is the latest XFL player to get a shot at the NFL this offseason. Jackson announced Monday evening that he has signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers.
Jackson was actually one of three XFL players the Panthers signed to their 90-man roster. The others were outside linebacker Jordan Thomas (Orlando Guardians) and wide receiver Gary Jennings Jr. (St. Louis Battlehawks). All three earned a tryout with the team at rookie minicamp.
Jackson played for the Seattle Sea Dragons this year, appearing in nine of their 10 regular season games while piling up 20 total tackles, including six solos and a TFL. The Sea Dragons selected him No. 66 overall in the XFL Draft.
Jackson didn’t hear his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft after a rather unorthodox college career, which started with him at Auburn in 2016.
He never wound up playing for the Tigers, though. Jackson redshirted his freshman season and then transferred to Blinn Junior College, where he emerged as a highly-touted JUCO recruit. The Ellenwood, Georgia, native recorded 70 tackles, nine sacks and three forced fumbles at Blinn, en route to becoming the Southwest Junior College Football Conference MVP.
Jackson converted his JUCO success into a chance to play at Ohio State. He spent four years with the Buckeyes, including a “super senior” season in 2021.
The 6-foot-2, 300-pound defensive tackle contributed to D-Line coach Larry Johnson’s robust rotation, playing 180 or more defensive snaps his final three seasons with the program, according to Pro Football Focus. Jackson logged 48 total tackles and 3.5 sacks with the Buckeyes.
His best season at Ohio State was his last. He registered a career-high 310 defensive snaps and 10 pressures generated, per PFF. Jackson also notched 23 total tackles, most notably 11 solos and 2.5 sacks. He was responsible for 4.5 TFLs in the process, according to Sports Reference. Seven of his eight starts at Ohio State came during the 2021 season.
Jackson left Ohio State with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family sciences and another in sociology. After going undrafted, he spent camp with the New York Giants, however, he didn’t earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Now, after a season in the XFL, Jackson will have a second chance at making the cut for an active NFL roster, this time with the Carolina Panthers.
