HOUSTON - When you think of Episcopal's Donovan Jackson a few things come to mind.
Ohio State-signee. Five-star offensive lineman. Number one lineman in the nation, No. 3 overall recruit in Texas, and the 18th-best overall prospect in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports.com.
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Football is what comes to mind and it should.
But what if I told you he was among the best throwers in the country in discus in shot put as well?
"It's just that competitive mindset going from football to track and field," Jackson, who owns the No.7 overall discuss throw in Texas, said. "You always want to come out on top. That's what I try to do every time I go into the ring."
Jackson threw a personal-best 177-feet-1 inch last weekend at the St. John's Nick Finnegan Spring Invitational, which gave him the No. 7 spot. The top throw is owned by fellow lineman Bryce Foster of Katy Taylor (210-feet-10 inches).
As far as private school throwers, Jackson is the best. San Antonio Christian's Ethan Sanders is just behind him along with Caden Kitler of Plano John Paul II.
The Ohio State signee is trying to get his "name on the wall" at Episcopal before he leaves by breaking his previous school records and win another SPC Championship.
Jackson has thrown since his sophomore season. He won the SPC crown in shot put (51-2.25) and discus (165-feet) that season and is in line to do it again in 2021.
"It's an amazing season so far, more than what I wished for," Jackson said. "Just to go out to the rings again is a blessing enough. Trying to break the records I set last year and to win SPC again."
Jackson's best shot put throw of the year came at the Kinkaid Falcon Relays back in March when he tossed 54-feet-1-inch to win that meet. In the six meets that Jackson has thrown at this season, the senior has taken first in shot put and discus at all of them - 12 gold medals.
So, could we see Jackson also throw for the Buckeyes' track program one day?
"I would admit that thought did come up but I have to talk to the guys up there first," Jackson said with a chuckle.
Jackson is a highly-coveted offensive line recruit that Ohio State wants to get on-campus quickly to start getting him ready for the season.
The lineman from Episcopal - which is about to have potentially three NFL Draft picks next week (Jaylen Waddle-Alabama, Walker Little-Stanford and Marvin Wilson-Florida State) - just wants to do his part for the Buckeyes once he arrives.
"My goal for Ohio State is to contribute," he said. "Whether as a teammate or on the field. I want to do what I can to help the team win. So, every day I'm doing something, whether watching film on guys that are there now or working out to get stronger."
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