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Donovan Jackson, Ohio State's Unsung Heroes This Season

Writer's picture: Rodney PottsRodney Potts
Ohio State|Donovan Jackson
Photo by Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State (13-2) will play Notre Dame (14-1) on Jan. 20 in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Their path to this final game of the season has been full of twists and turns throughout the year. The roster returned nearly every player possible after last year and added multiple new freshman and transfers. The likes of Jack Sawyer, Jeremiah Smith, Will Howard and many more have taken center stage this season. However, what has really allowed the Buckeyes to play to their potential and reach this game is the play of the young men that may not receive as much of the mainstream media's attention.



Tyleik Williams, Defensive Tackle

The Buckeyes have been one of the nation’s top run defenses this season. Defensive ends Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau have garnered most of the spotlight for the position group. However, senior defensive tackle Tyleik Williams has also been a vital piece for the group in the trenches. Williams had some minor injury problems early this season that contributed to a slow start after having such high expectations. As the season went on, he seemed to ramp up more and more, now peaking in the playoff.


The Buckeyes faced very talented rushing offenses in Tennessee, Oregon and Texas in the first three rounds. Those three teams combined for only 187 rushing yards. Williams being a force in the middle as a three-technique has been a huge factor in that area. He has had 10 tackles, 1.5 of them being for a loss. The stats are very solid for a DT is his spot, as he is primarily being asked to mainly wreak havoc on the interior. What Williams does best does not always show up in the box score.



Williams ensures that teams can’t just run inside zone on the Buckeyes and win one-on-one in the run game. He beats the interior offensive linemen to first contact and forces running backs off their intended path in the middle almost immediately. He uses his hands as well as anyone in all of college football. He is never out of his gap assignment. Every little thing you need from an interior defensive lineman, he does consistently at the highest level. That allows the defense to play fast and play downhill, just the way they want.


Jordan Hancock, Defensive Back

On a defense full of amazing individuals, especially in the defensive backfield, Hancock has been as good as anyone in the postseason. Hancock played well in the regular season, including a game-sealing interception against Nebraska. His play in the last three games has been a huge part of the Buckeyes shutting down the explosive offenses from their opposition.


With the structural changes to the Ohio State defense after their loss to Oregon, Hancock was one of a few players that was asked to do more than he had been. He was typically only playing the nickel cornerback spot when the team faced three or more wide receiver looks. The changes made led to Hancock also playing numerous snaps at the safety position. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles decided he wanted Caleb Downs to often play this middle linebacker/middle safety hybrid spot. That forces Hancock back to the free safety spot with how much the Buckeyes love using safety Lathan Ransom in the box to help against the run. With the added responsibilities, Hancock has excelled.



Hancock has been amazing when it comes to helping stop the run from the nickel spot. He has been just as solid from the safety spot, getting downhill quickly and wrapping up or just fitting the run properly. He made a key tackle against Texas that helped get the ball back for offense. He also has done very well at patrolling the deep area of the field when at safety. He sees the route concepts well and does a fantastic job of knowing the coverage rules and when to match routes from receivers. He also the main player in conflict on run-pass option plays from offenses. His nickel spot is usually the primary read on those plays, and he seems to play it perfectly every time. Every team the Buckeyes have faced in the playoff use RPOs consistently. Notre Dame will do the same.



With the RPO looks and how Notre Dame runs the ball and their quarterback Riley Leonard, Hancock’s play will be as vital as ever. The good news for Ohio State fans is that the coaching staff is more than confident with him in that position.


Donovan Jackson, Left Tackle

It is no secret that the Ohio State offensive line has seen more adversity than ever this season. Projected first-round offensive tackle Josh Simmons went down for the season on Oct. 12 against Oregon. Backup offensive tackle Zen Michalski also suffered a long-term injury against Nebraska immediately after losing Simmons. Rimington Trophy winner Seth McLaughlin then tore his achilles at practice before facing Indiana in the second to last week of the regular season.



The loss of Simmons and Michalski led offensive line coach Justin Frye to make a decision that many thought of as possibility, but few thought may actually be made. All-American left guard Donovan Jackson was asked to move left tackle, a position he has never played in his four years with the Buckeyes. Jackson was immediately thrown into the fire, matching up against Penn State’s Abdul Carter. The projected top-10 NFL draft pick finished with 3 sacks, but Ohio State came out with a win. Jackson helped lead a drive that bled the last 5:13 off the clock to seal the outcome. Since then, Jackson has only improved.



Throughout the playoff, Howard has only been sacked twice. Neither of those two have come against Jackson. According to Pro Football Focus, he has given up only two pressures on 99 pass blocking snaps. He has a 86.8 pass blocking grade as well. Aside from his stellar advanced stats, Jackson has been a leader this season as the group dealt with their various injuries. At a press conference before playing Tennessee, Jackson talked about how he had learned to give motivational speeches this year. He continued, saying he had taken pride in becoming a leader for the group and helping get the young guys prepared.


Jackson has been nothing short of spectacular this year with the move to tackle. He surely does not get the credit or attention he deserves for what he has done. The Buckeyes would not be in the spot they are without him, or any of these three players.



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