Jonah Jackson Can Provide an Immediate Impact for Lions

Our Dakota Brecht talks about why new Lions OG Jonah Jackson can provide an immediate impact for the organization

Newly acquired offensive guard Jonah Jackson finished off his college career strong with a stellar senior season and a College Football Playoff appearance with Ohio State.

That, however, is not exactly where he started.

Jackson began his college career not at powerhouse Ohio State, but at Rutgers – a perennially poor football team in the Big Ten.

The transfer to Ohio State was a tough decision for Jackson, but one he made for the betterment of his athletic and academic career.

A 2019 article from 247Sports spoke on Jackson’s decision to transfer:

“I love Rutgers and everything that has happened in the past four years there has made me the man I am today,” Jackson said. “And I can’t thank them enough for everything that they’ve done for me as a person, my brothers and my teammates. But, again, I just wanted to branch out and see what else is out there for me. That’s the main reason."

After excelling at Ohio State in 2019, Jackson’s decision to transfer was proven to be the right one.

Now, Jackson will look to fill the hole at right guard.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had this to say on Jackson during the NFL Draft broadcast:

"He's a transfer from Rutgers… He goes to Ohio State, and he has a heck of a year. He started out playing for the Scarlet Knights. Obviously, you think about the jump up to Ohio State, and a lot was expected of him. He was expected to be a hole-filler. He was expected to be an immediate starter, and he was.”

And an immediate starter and force on the Buckeyes’ line is exactly what he was.

Jackson has the size and the skill set that will translate well to the next level -- exactly what Bob Quinn was looking for when he selected him No. 75 overall.

“His one season with the Buckeyes, he did a heck of a job, I thought, supporting not only JK Dobbins but Fields,” Kiper Jr. said. “He's good in the pass game with protection, and he's a solid blocker. Not only does he move defenders off the line, but he got to that second level and landed some really good shots.”

Transferring to Ohio State was ultimately the right decision for Jackson and one that more than likely led him to the Lions.

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