Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Compliments Offensive Line for Offseason Growth

Being regarded as one the Buckeyes expected to make a big leap into 2026 himself, star defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is impressed by the growth in ability and attitude of the offensive line as they are one of the key position groups Ohio State will need heading into next season.

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive linemen Carson Hinzman (75) and Luke Montgomery (51) stretch during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Coming into this offseason for Ohio State Football, the improvement of the offensive line was one of the biggest stressors going into 2026. 

After the Buckeyes saw their 12-0 record lead to two straight losses in the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff where both Indiana and Miami combined for 10 sacks, growth up front was a key for fans to see.

The offensive line can be one of the hardest to see improvement from right away, as seeing a different opponent in front of them really tells if the group got better. Yet, if there is anybody that is going to give a good assessment of the play of this group during training camp, it is Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

The returning defensive end credited the improvement of this group during the offseason after practice on Aug. 20, saying it looks like a completely different unit from a year ago.

“It’s like night and day,” said Jackson in an interview with Big Ten Network after practice Thursday, “I believe last year was their first year together, and now they are older and more mature.”

Inside the o-line

Ohio State’s offensive line was not one that received a lot of heat during the regular season, as they were solid for a top-30 scoring offense in the country and only allowed 6 sacks up to those two games.

The most positive element of this unit is the continuity, as 4 of the 5 starters on it from last year do return and junior Ian Moore fills in at left tackle, who has received a lot of praise so far at camp for taking the job.

The attitude has also changed in this room, as Jackson complimented the physicality of this group compared to last season.

“They’re more aggressive,” said Jackson, “I don’t know what Coach Bowen and Coach Day are doing in the o-line room, but it’s working.”

Physicality at the line of scrimmage may be more important than any other season Ryan Day has had up to this point as head coach of the Buckeyes, as their schedule sees some of the toughest defensive units in the country in Texas, Iowa, Oregon, and Indiana. 

On top of the talent they will see across the line, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith brings a much different offensive approach then Ohio State’s air raid offenses of the past. The Buckeyes will lean on the running game more and let that create more opportunities in the pass game.

Among the line, returners Austin Siereveld and Luke Montgomery have already received offseason accolades. Siereveld and Montgomery were selected as preseason All-Americans by On3, with Montgomery receiving a second-team nod and Siereveld landing on the third team. 

The offense will lean on these two to buoy this offensive line into one of best in the country, as that caliber of play will be necessary to handle this tough schedule ahead, and not see a repeat of the offense’s struggles against strong defensive line units that occurred at the end of 2025.