Ohio State adds Kenyatta Jackson to their defense-heavy 2022 recruiting class.
Larry Johnson adds talented pass rushers to Ohio State’s line every year. While there isn’t a Jack Sawyer-J.T. Tuilmoloau duo like last year, Johnson does get one of the best edge rushers in the country.
Jackson has football in his blood. His grandfather, Rudy Barber, and his uncles, Rudy Barber Jr. and Kantroy Barber, all played in the NFL. Jackson is hoping to follow in their footsteps after hopefully having a successful career at Ohio State.
Ohio State Adds EDGE Kenyatta Jackson
Jackson is the 70th-ranked prospect in the country according to 247Sports Composite. He is the seventh-best EDGE in the country, and the 10th-best overall player out of the state of Florida.
Jackson played for Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, where he racked up awards. He won the 3A State Championship, won All-State honors twice, and won Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida his senior year.
Coming into Ohio State, Jackson is already 6’5″ and 235 pounds. He has great hands, great effort, and great athleticism.
As a result of being the best player on the field his entire life, he was able to get away with learning only a handful of techniques. If he can add some moves to his repertoire, then he can be dangerous.
Jackson played outside linebacker in a 3-4 system, but once he adds some weight he will be considered a defensive end. He will remind a lot of Ohio State fans of Chase Young (though Young’s production may not be replicated for a while). If he develops the way Johnson has proven he can develop young pass-rushers, Jackson will be able to use his speed, strength, and flexibility to win around the edge like Young used to do in Columbus.
