Former Rutgers offensive lineman Jonah Jackson blocks in the game against Ohio State on Sep. 8. Ohio State won 52-3. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Photo Editor
Fall camp days are the most grueling time of the year for football players. Early mornings, long practice hours and bodies becoming accustomed to the collisions of the sport are trademarks every August.
On one rare evening that didn’t involve football activities, most players chose to sit around on their phones, take naps or recover, offensive line coach Greg Studrawa said. Redshirt senior guard Jonah Jackson did something else.
“Jonah’s in there on his iPad watching film,” Studrawa said. “That says it all. It’s important to him.”
Nine Florida Atlantic defenders now all share one thing in common after Saturday — they’ve all been knocked down by Jackson.
Jackson led all offensive linemen in the makeshift stat category during the contest. It appears that extra time is paying off.
“There’s one thing I like to hang my hat on, and that’s being nasty and finishing,” Jackson said.
Jackson embodies much of what Studrawa teaches about offensive line play. His praise for the Rutgers transfer didn’t stop at the work ethic it takes to watch additional film — Studrawa called his maturity level “unbelievable.”
It continued with the physicality and enthusiasm components of Jackson’s game — components he wants the younger players to add.
“You watch that film, all the younger guys are like, ‘Woah, maybe that’s how you’re supposed to do this,’” Studrawa said. “The effect that he had on that room was unbelievable, just in one game.”
The guard displayed the most enthusiasm Saturday during Ohio State’s first touchdown, fist pumping and waving No. 1 in the air with his index finger as sophomore quarterback Justin Fields strode toward the goal line for a 51-yard score.
“I was just thinking about giving him a big hug. I was very excited,” Jackson said. “There’s nothing like that, especially running behind him with your hands in the air.”
Studrawa said that’s the energy he wants from the offensive linemen, players who sprint behind their ball carrier, pumping their fists.
Jackson’s teammates have affected him in return.
When choosing his transfer destination, Jackson said it was the welcoming nature and familial environment that drew him to Columbus.
“It was Oklahoma and Ohio State,” Jackson said. “Once I got here, I realized everything that goes on in this great program. It was like, ‘This is it. This is home.”
That nature didn’t change when he arrived at the program.
“When I came in, the guys welcomed me with open arms,” Jackson said. “I had to obviously earn my respect and everything but the guys definitely made me feel as comfortable as possible and welcomed me.”
Jackson set what he believes to be a career high in pancake blocks against FAU, but remains far from satisfied with his play.
“That might take the cake for most knockdowns, but I still made some mistakes here and there,” Jackson said. “There’s things I’ve gotta fix for sure on that.”
