The Ohio State Buckeyes have landed a positive prediction amid their transfer portal exodus.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been losing players hand over first in the transfer portal, as 29 players have already departed Columbus this winter.
To make matters worse, a host of Ohio State players will be leaving for the NFL Draft, with wide receiver Carnell Tate, safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Arvell Reese and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald representing early entries.
But with the Buckeyes losing so many critical pieces this offseason, one important player is being predicted to stay: defensive end Kenyatta Jackson.
Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors is predicting Jackson to return to Ohio State for one more season in 2026, noting that the pass rusher did not have the type of year many expected in 2025.
"As such, there’s good reason for Jackson to consider staying at Ohio State for one more year for a chance to maximize his draft stock and likely be a captain as a veteran leader of the Buckeye defense," Hope wrote.
Hope added that it also makes financial sense for Jackson to spend one more campaign with the Buckeyes.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Kenyatta Jackson. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images."He may make as much money in 2026 by staying as he would by going pro; Ohio State will make sure he’s well-compensated to return, as it’s relying on his veteran leadership on the edge of the defensive line with [Caden] Curry out of eligibility," Hope wrote.
Jackson registered 28 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this season. He managed just one sack over his first five games, which resulted in a rather significant hit to his NFL Draft stock right off the bat.
The Miami Gardens, Fl. native was pegged as a first-round pick by some heading into the 2025 campaign, but that did not materialize for Jackson.
In fact, if Jackson entered the draft now, he would probably be a mid-rounder, so it makes sense for the senior to come back for a fifth season, make his money and attempt to build his stock heading into the 2027 NFL Draft.
Considering that Ohio State is losing so many integral players in the trenches this offseason, Jackson's potential return would be a breath of fresh air for Ryan Day and Co.
Of course, whether or not Jackson actually makes the decision to play another year with the Buckeyes remains to be seen.