At first, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. was overwhelmed when he realized it was his time to be the leader of Ohio State’s defensive line.
When Ohio State began winter workouts this offseason, Jackson didn’t feel ready to take on that responsibility. As he became an elder statesman of a defensive line tasked with replacing Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams, the weight initially felt like too much to carry.
Jackson persevered through those early doubts, however, and became comfortable with his leadership role by the middle of winter workouts. Now, the redshirt junior DE is embracing that role fully as he steps into a starting role for the first time.