Two Years in the Making, Buckeyes Finally Land Commitment from Defensive Tackle Antwuan Jackson

Defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson has committed to Ohio State. He made the announcement via Twitter and intends to be part of OSU’s 2018 recruiting class in February.

Proud to announce that I'm committed to THE ⭕️hio State University ❗️⭕️? #OhioState #BUCKEYES #BuckeyeNation pic.twitter.com/TmFc8QYEHz

— ⭐️Antwuan Jackson⭐️ (@Hercules__52) September 12, 2017

The Buckeyes just missed out on signing Antwuan Jackson (6-2 300) in the 2016 cycle. The 4-star defensive tackle out of Georgia signed with Auburn, leaving Ohio State at the alter for yet another top interior lineman. A top 20 player nationally per ESPN, Jackson was a painful miss for the Buckeye staff.

After a true freshman season that saw Jackson redshirt, however, the defensive tackle decided to transfer from Auburn. Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn was supportive of the decision and wished him the best, but also blocked Jackson’s transfer to any other SEC school and Ohio State.

Rather than sign with a school not on Auburn’s no-fly list, Jackson enrolled at Blinn Junior College, where he would then be free to transfer to any school for the 2018 season and have three years of eligibility remaining.

“Antwuan could be a really good player,” Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner said this past March. “He still has to get a better grasp on the type of effort and execution that it’s going to take to perform at this level. That’s been his biggest thing, just learning that, hey, you’ve have to be willing to strain. You have to be willing to get uncomfortable to be able to become a great player. He has a tremendous skill set. He just has to embrace just turning it loose.”

Ohio State extended an offer to Jackson two weeks ago and ever since then the fires had been reignited between Jackson and the Buckeyes. One day after OSU’s offer, Alabama threw their hat into the ring as well.

Blinn is now 2-0 on the season where Jackson is a starter. He currently has 15 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and a blocked kick.

The Buckeyes have the nation’s top high school defensive tackle committed in IMG’s Taron Vincent, and now with Antwuan Jackson in the fold, they have arguably the top defensive tackle in junior college as well.

Antwuan Jackson Highlights

[Antwuan Jackson Photo courtesy 247Sports.]