GET TO KNOW NEW VIKINGS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN DONOVAN JACKSON
KEY TRANSACTIONS
Drafted in the first round (24th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.
OFF THE FIELD
Son of Melanie and Todd Jackson.
Both his parents are from Ohio. Father grew up in Cleveland and his mother is from Cincinnati. Sister, Rachel, is working on her master’s degree in environmental sciences at Duke. Mother was an elementary school teacher for 25 years before retiring. His grandmothers were also teachers, and one of his uncles is a music professor at the University of Georgia. Interned with the Ohio State Department of Athletics’ fan experience and promotions area in the summer of 2023 as part of the Bucks Go Pro program. Graduated in December of 2024 with his degree in sport industry. Played basketball and baseball as a kid and threw discus and shot put in high school, and he won state twice in the shot put and discus.
COLLEGE – OHIO STATE
Part of Ohio State’s 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship team.
Played four seasons at Ohio State (2021-24), starting 40 of the 53 games he played in his career at both LG and LT, including starting every game he played from 2022-24.
According to Pro Football Focus, only allowed 5.0 sacks in 1,293 pass blocking snaps played in his career.
Was a part of an offensive line that allowed just 4.0 sacks in four games during the College Football Playoffs.
In 2024, contributed to an Ohio State offense that ranked seventh nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed per game (3.75) andtenth in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.0).
In 2023, started all 13 games at right guard.
Started all 13 games at right guard in 2022, helping lead the Buckeyes to a No. 9 ranking nationally in total offense (490.7 yards per game) and No. 2 in scoring (44.2 points per game) in 2022.
Appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2021.
Donovan Jackson
HONORS
First-Team All-Big Ten (2023-24, Coaches and Media)
Academic All-Big Ten (2022-24)
Rose Bowl Game Scholar-Athlete (2024)
Dan S. Petty/Cotton Bowl Scholar-Athlete (2023)
PREP – EPISCOPAL (TEXAS)
Five-star prospect according to 247Sports and the nation’s No. 1 ranked guard.
No. 1 player in the state of Texas and No. 17 overall player.
Started at LT at Houston Christian High School as a freshman before transferring to Episcopal High School.
Helped Episcopal win the Southwest Preparatory Conference 4A title as a junior.
Selected for the Army All-American Bowl.
Took home OL MVP honors at The Opening in July of 2019.
(info and photos courtesy of Vikings)
