Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Ohio State junior offensive lineman Donovan Jackson was named the Dan S. Petty Scholar-Athlete for Ohio State participating in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
 
Jackson, a sport industry major from Bellaire, Texas, and is a two-year starter on the offensive line for Ohio State. In the classroom, Jackson has been a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and is an OSU Scholar-Athlete who last year was also a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar for having an overall grade-point average of 3.60 or better for the year. He was nominated this season for Academic All-America honors by the College Sports Communicators, formerly the College Sports Information Directors of America.
 
Last summer, Jackson interned with the Ohio State Department of Athletics’ fan experience and promotions area as part of the Bucks Go Pro program. He learned more about the day-to-day operations of the marketing team and also made a final project presentation to an audience full of department employees at the end of the summer.
 
Playing at left guard, the Episcopal High School product has the most starting experience of any linemen on the Buckeyes’ roster. He has been a first-team All-Big Ten pick in each of the last two seasons. In his first year as a full-time starter in 2022, Jackson helped lead Ohio State to a No. 9 ranking nationally in total offense (490.7 yards per game) and a No. 2 ranking in scoring (44.2 points per game). This season, Ohio State’s offensive line ranked in the top half of the Big Ten in both fewest sacks and tackles for loss allowed.
 
In his three seasons with the program, Ohio State is 33-5 overall and 24-3 in Big Ten games. Included in that is a Rose Bowl win to conclude the 2021 season and eight victories over top-25 ranked opponents.