“‘A Monster’: Sonny Styles and Jeremiah Smith Say Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Has First-Round NFL Talent Written All Over Him”
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is no longer a name whispered only among defensive line coaches or quietly noted by opposing offensive coordinators. He’s becoming the kind of player that draws awe from teammates, buzz from NFL scouts, and fear from quarterbacks. When two of Ohio State’s brightest stars—safety Sonny Styles and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith—both independently describe him with the same word, “monster,” it’s more than just locker-room hype. It’s a signal that the Buckeyes may have their next breakout defensive force, and quite possibly, their next first-round NFL Draft pick.
Styles and Smith are not the type to casually hand out praise. Their reputations at Ohio State have been forged through discipline, production, and high expectations. So when they talk about Kenyatta Jackson Jr., they’re speaking from the perspective of players who have seen elite talent up close—on both sides of the ball. Styles, a physical, downhill safety who relishes contact and has played against Jackson in countless practice reps, doesn’t hesitate to use the word “monster” when asked about his teammate’s potential. It’s a sentiment echoed by Smith, one of the most highly touted wide receivers in recent recruiting history, who knows a dangerous defensive player when he sees one—and especially when he has to run routes with Jackson bearing down on the quarterback.
Jackson’s path to becoming that “monster” has been anything but overnight. After a quiet start to his collegiate career, he’s taken the developmental leap the Buckeyes always believed he could. A product of South Florida’s powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna program, Jackson came into Columbus with a long frame, freakish athleticism, and the raw tools that made him a top recruit. But the expectations at Ohio State—especially for defensive linemen—aren’t measured in potential. They’re measured in production. Now, as Jackson enters what many believe will be his breakout season, he’s not just flashing in spring camp or putting together impressive reps in practice. He’s becoming dominant.
Scouts and analysts often talk about the importance of the “get-off” when evaluating edge rushers—how quickly a defensive lineman can explode off the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Jackson’s get-off has gone from good to elite. His first step is not just fast—it’s violent. Offensive tackles are finding themselves in retreat mode almost immediately, forced to open their hips far earlier than they want. Once Jackson has that leverage, it’s game over. His length allows him to maintain separation, his bend makes him hard to block cleanly, and his motor keeps him involved in plays that most linemen would give up on. That relentless energy is part of what has teammates calling him a monster—it’s not just about sacks. It’s about disruption.
The praise from teammates isn’t just hyperbole—it’s backed up by a shift in how Jackson is being deployed in Jim Knowles’ aggressive defensive scheme. No longer just a rotation piece or situational pass rusher, Jackson is starting to command the kind of snap count that makes you the centerpiece of a defense. That role doesn’t come easy at a program with the depth of Ohio State. To become the guy, you have to outplay other elite recruits and upperclassmen. And right now, Jackson is doing exactly that. His ability to set the edge in the run game, not just rush the passer, has elevated his profile from “specialist” to “every-down threat.” That completeness is what has NFL scouts circling his name on fall scouting sheets.
What makes Jackson’s rise even more impressive is the context of who’s praising him. Sonny Styles is one of the most versatile defenders in the country, a player who can drop into coverage, rush the passer himself, and clean up anything that gets past the front four. He’s someone whose job becomes much easier when the edge rushers do theirs. For Styles to label Jackson a “monster” is not just hype—it’s an acknowledgment that Jackson is making life easier for the entire defense. And from the offensive perspective, Jeremiah Smith’s endorsement matters just as much. Smith, widely seen as a generational talent at wide receiver, faces the best cornerbacks in the nation on a daily basis. For him to single out Jackson as a terrorizing presence is a testament to how impactful the defensive end is becoming.
Jackson’s blend of speed, size, and instincts is exactly what NFL teams look for in a first-round pick. He’s hovering around 6-foot-5 and a chiseled 260 pounds, with room still to grow. But what separates him from the typical college edge rusher is the way he diagnoses plays. Jackson is no longer relying purely on physical gifts—he’s reading offensive formations, anticipating plays, and understanding the rhythm of an opposing quarterback’s drop. That kind of mental maturation turns a good player into a great one, and that’s what has people inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center buzzing.
There’s also the Ohio State pedigree to consider. Defensive linemen who dominate in Columbus tend to make noise in the NFL. From the Bosa brothers to Chase Young, the Buckeyes have built a reputation for developing elite edge talent. Jackson knows the standard, and he knows what’s required to live up to it. But he also brings his own identity to the table. He’s not just trying to replicate what came before—he’s trying to set his own blueprint, one that blends South Florida swagger with Midwestern grit. That hybrid mentality is serving him well.
Of course, NFL scouts won’t base their evaluations on practice film or teammate praise. They want to see production. And that’s where 2025 becomes so critical for Jackson. If he can turn all the promise into consistent sack totals, quarterback hurries, and tackles for loss, his stock will soar. But beyond the stats, scouts are already noticing the way he affects games—even when he’s not the one finishing the play. Quarterbacks are throwing early. Offensive coordinators are sliding protection his way. Running backs are staying in to chip. All of those are signs that an edge rusher is doing his job, even if he doesn’t always end up on the stat sheet.
What makes Jackson’s potential first-round trajectory especially exciting is the fact that he’s still evolving. He’s just scratching the surface of what he can become. Every great edge rusher has that one season where everything clicks—the hand usage, the leverage, the conditioning, the mental game. For Jackson, 2025 is shaping up to be that year. His body has caught up with his skill set. His confidence is surging. And most importantly, his coaches are trusting him to be the anchor of the defensive line.
The leadership role is also something Jackson is beginning to embrace. Quiet early in his career, he’s starting to become more vocal, more commanding in the huddle and during workouts. That shift isn’t accidental—it’s the result of belief, both from within and from those around him. When players like Styles and Smith use words like “monster,” it doesn’t just hype up the media. It sends a message within the locker room. It raises the expectations. And Jackson is meeting them.
NFL evaluators are already projecting Jackson as one of the names to watch in the 2025 Draft class. His measurables will pop at the Combine. His game film will show growth and versatility. And if his current trajectory continues, he’ll enter draft season not just as a name with upside—but as a proven force who delivered on the field. He’s the kind of edge rusher who can change a franchise’s defense, the kind of player who draws double teams on third down and still finds a way to make the play.
In the end, the word “monster” might just be the most fitting description of all. It speaks to the fear he strikes in opposing offenses, the physical dominance he’s capable of, and the awe he inspires in teammates who are stars in their own right. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. isn’t just on the radar anymore—he’s coming fast, off the edge, with the burst, the length, and the fire to make his presence felt every Saturday this fall—and every Sunday not long after that.
