#21

Ronald Jackson Jr.

DB · Ohio · R-Jr. · #21

Returning to Ohio for 2026
R-Jr. · Detroit, Mich. → Belleville
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This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Ronald Jackson Jr.

DB · Ohio · Sr · #21

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★
#2793 national
CFB
College
2 teams
2021–2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

Coaching Lineage · 2021–2025

2 coaches
2021
2022
2025
Brian Smith
Ohio
era →

Coaching transition mid-career: Tim Albin → Brian Smith. Worth noting in scheme + development context.

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2021Akron2-10HC: Oscar Rodriguez · Run-leaning
2022Akron2-10HC: Joe Moorhead · Pass-leaning
2025Ohio9-4HC: Brian Smith · Run-heavy

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Ohio210.00.0------
2022Akron410.00.0------
2021Akron23110.00.0------
Career29130.00.0------

How he plays

Play style

Moves between deep coverage and the slot.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Ohio

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Defensive back · Ohio

Returning around him

  • 65% of 2024 offensive production back (Solid continuity)
  • Transfer portal: +2 net (18 in / 16 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Ohio · Last season: 9-4 · Talent rank #126 · 2026 recruiting class #106

DNA match

Player DNA

Hybrid Nickel

Moves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB.

S

His 2021 production profile sits closest to Arnold Azunna’s 2021 season.

Hawai'i · 2021

#2

Mordecai McDaniel

Florida · 2021

85%
#3

Alexander Teubner

Boise State · 2021

83%
#4

Josh Minkins

Louisville · 2021

82%
#5

Xavier Watts

Notre Dame · 2021

NFL Rd 3 · Pk 32
80%

Matches Arnold on

Class year
Height
PD rate

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a sophomore, his production profile tracks closest to Tanner Wall's sophomore season at BYU (2023).

Tanner Wall

98%match

BYU · 2023

#2

Ronnie Hamrick II

Texas State · 2023

96%
#3

Arnold Azunna

Hawai'i · 2021

93%
#4

Benjamin Alexander

Liberty · 2021

93%
#5

Jamison Collier

Ohio · 2021

92%

Matches Tanner on

Class year
Height
PD rate

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #12144

Final rank
#12220
Avg #12294.3
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #12144 this season.

Background

2025: Appeared in two games. 2024 (Montana): Jackson will see an increased roll and should compete for a starting job in the defensive secondary after a breakout season… Also expected to be a standout on special teams. 2023 (Montana): Academic All-Big Sky... Transferred to Montana in time for win...

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