Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson impresses with his strength, agility, and versatility, making him a top NFL prospect for the Ravens.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, NFL teams are closely evaluating some of the top prospects, and one of the most intriguing players is Donovan Jackson, the offensive lineman from Ohio State. With his impressive blend of strength, agility, and versatility, Jackson has quickly become one of the most sought-after prospects in this year’s draft class, and the Baltimore Ravens are reportedly paying close attention to his development as a potential cornerstone for their offensive line. In this scouting report, we’ll dive deep into Donovan Jackson’s skills, his strengths, areas for improvement, and how he could fit into the Ravens’ offensive scheme.

Background: Donovan Jackson’s Rise at Ohio State

Donovan Jackson was a highly regarded recruit out of high school, but it was at Ohio State where he truly began to make a name for himself. After joining the Buckeyes as a five-star recruit, Jackson quickly adapted to the high-level competition in college football and earned a starting spot on Ohio State’s offensive line. Over his time in Columbus, Jackson became known for his dominant play, excelling in both pass protection and run blocking, while also displaying leadership qualities both on and off the field.

Jackson’s versatility has been one of the most attractive features of his game. He has played at multiple positions along the offensive line, showing an ability to adapt to various roles without missing a beat. His leadership and football IQ have been praised by his coaches, and his blend of physicality and technique makes him a well-rounded offensive line prospect. By his final year at Ohio State, Jackson had cemented himself as one of the most coveted offensive linemen in the 2025 draft class, and his dominant performances in big games further raised his profile.

Strengths of Donovan Jackson

1. Strength and Physicality

One of the first things that stands out about Donovan Jackson is his raw strength. At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Jackson possesses a powerful frame that allows him to impose his will on defenders. Whether it’s driving defenders off the ball in the run game or anchoring against pass rushers, Jackson’s strength is a defining trait of his game. He has the ability to control the line of scrimmage, often engaging defenders with an initial punch that stuns them and drives them backward. This strength is critical for power-running schemes and has been particularly evident in short-yardage situations.

2. Agility and Lateral Movement

While Jackson is a big, powerful offensive lineman, he also possesses surprising agility for his size. His ability to move laterally with ease and maintain his balance when pulling or moving to the second level is a significant asset in both zone-blocking schemes and gap-blocking schemes. Jackson’s ability to mirror defenders in pass protection, particularly against quicker pass rushers, sets him apart from many of his peers. This agility also makes him an excellent fit for teams that run outside zone concepts, as he can get to the edge and create running lanes for ball carriers.

Jackson’s combination of size and agility is a rare one, and it allows him to be a highly effective pass protector in both one-on-one situations and combination blocks. His lateral movement allows him to slide in front of defenders, protect the quarterback’s blindside, and create lanes for running backs.

3. Versatility Along the Offensive Line

Donovan Jackson’s versatility is arguably his biggest asset. During his time at Ohio State, he has played both guard and tackle, giving him the flexibility to line up at multiple positions. His experience in various spots along the offensive line means he’s capable of adapting to different schemes and roles, which makes him a valuable asset to any NFL team looking for a plug-and-play lineman who can step into multiple positions if needed. His ability to excel both inside and outside makes him a potential solution for the Ravens as they look to bolster their offensive line depth.

Jackson has spent most of his time at guard, where he excels at handling power rushers and creating holes in the running game. However, his experience at tackle provides him with the ability to help on the edge, an important trait in today’s NFL where versatility is key. Should the Ravens need a player to move around the offensive line due to injury or matchup issues, Jackson’s ability to play multiple spots will be extremely valuable.

4. Football IQ and Awareness

Football IQ is critical for any offensive lineman, and Jackson’s awareness on the field is exceptional. He has consistently been praised for his ability to quickly recognize defensive alignments and adjust accordingly, often making pre-snap adjustments based on defensive fronts or blitzing schemes. This high football IQ helps him read the game better than many of his peers and allows him to react quickly to different situations, whether it be an overloaded front or a linebacker blitz.

Jackson’s ability to process information quickly allows him to be effective in pass protection even when faced with complicated defensive schemes. His ability to stay calm under pressure and adjust to quick changes in defensive alignments has made him a key piece of Ohio State’s offensive line and will be a major strength as he transitions to the NFL.

Areas for Improvement

1. Consistency with Hand Placement

While Jackson is known for his raw strength, one area that he will need to improve in the NFL is his hand placement. At times, he can get a little too overzealous with his punches, relying on sheer power rather than precise technique. This occasionally leads to defenders getting into his body and getting past him with more speed or agility. Fine-tuning his hand placement will help him become a more refined pass protector and reduce the instances where defenders slip by him with minimal resistance.

He will need to focus on strike timing and hand placement at the next level, especially when facing elite defensive linemen who can take advantage of even the smallest mistakes. In particular, NFL pass rushers with quick first steps and refined pass-rush techniques could exploit this weakness, so Jackson will need to clean up his punch timing and hand technique to avoid being beaten on the edge.

2. Balance and Lower Body Control

At times, Donovan Jackson’s aggressive play can result in him being a little too high in his stance or off-balance, which can cause him to lose leverage against powerful defenders. This is especially noticeable in his pass protection, where defenders with a quick first step or a strong bull rush can take advantage of his high pad level.

Improving his balance and lower body control will allow Jackson to maintain a more consistent base and be more effective in neutralizing powerful rushers. He will need to work on staying low in his stance and driving from his legs rather than his upper body to generate better leverage and avoid lunging or reaching for defenders. Improving his footwork in this regard will enhance his overall pass protection, allowing him to mirror and counter rusher’s movements more efficiently.

Fit with the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are a team that values physicality and versatility along the offensive line. Their offensive scheme, which heavily utilizes power running and a mobile quarterback in Lamar Jackson, requires linemen who can be both powerful blockers in the run game and effective pass protectors in the pocket. Donovan Jackson’s blend of strength, agility, and football IQ makes him an ideal fit for the Ravens’ scheme.

Jackson’s ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line is also an asset to the Ravens, who have often had to deal with injuries along their front five in recent seasons. The Ravens’ offensive line has seen its fair share of changes over the years, so having a player who can step in at guard, tackle, or even center gives them significant depth. If Baltimore were to draft Donovan Jackson, he could potentially be plugged into either a guard spot or a tackle position, providing flexibility that would benefit the team in the long run.

In particular, Jackson could help shore up the right guard or right tackle position, where the Ravens have had inconsistent play in recent years. His physicality in the running game would be an immediate asset for the Ravens’ run-heavy offense, and his ability to protect Lamar Jackson’s blindside in pass protection would give the team greater stability on the offensive line.

Additionally, the Ravens have a culture of developing offensive linemen, and their emphasis on zone blocking would play to Jackson’s strengths. His lateral mobility and ability to get to the second level in the run game would complement the Ravens’ outside zone scheme, while his strength in pass protection would make him a reliable protector for Lamar Jackson, who thrives on designed runs and play-action opportunities.

Donovan Jackson’s Future in the NFL

Donovan Jackson is one of the most well-rounded offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class. His combination of size, strength, agility, and football IQ make him an intriguing option for any team looking to bolster its offensive line. With his ability to excel in both pass protection and run blocking, Jackson is poised to be a key contributor at the next level.

For the Baltimore Ravens, Jackson presents a unique opportunity to strengthen their offensive line and give them a versatile player who can plug in at multiple positions. If Jackson can clean up some minor issues with his hand placement and balance, he has the potential to become one of the top offensive linemen in the NFL, and his physical