With the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings selected former Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson, as the team continues its effort this offseason to improve the protection in front of quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
After the pick was made, Vikings.com's Lindsey Young shared a piece of information that is both incredible and strange at the same time.
"The Vikings have drafted a player 24th overall three different times in franchise history … and on all three occasions selected a Buckeye.
Minnesota tabbed running back Leo Hayden in 1971 and in 1995 drafted tackle Korey Stringer."
Donovan Jackson becomes third Ohio State player to be selected with the 24th pick in the NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings
What an insane coincidence that Minnesota has only drafted a player with the 24th overall pick three times in team history, and all three resulted in the Vikings selecting a prospect who spent their college career at Ohio State.
As Young mentioned, the other two members of this group are Leo Hayden and Korey Stringer. Hayden is a former Minnesota running back who only ended up touching the football nine times in three seasons with the franchise, and Stringer spent six years as the Vikings' starting right tackle, including the 2000 season when he was voted to the Pro Bowl.
Of course, these three aren't the only former Ohio State players to end up playing for Minnesota in the NFL. The Vikings have also been the home for a number of former Buckeyes, including Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, running back Robert Smith, cornerback Antoine Winfield, and defensive end Jim Marshall.
Jackson also won't be the only former Buckeye in Minnesota's locker room this year, as the team also signed former Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah in free agency earlier this offseason.
With the Buckeyes in 2024, Jackson was able to help lead the school to a victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship. After Thursday, the Vikings are hoping their newest offensive lineman can add some of that championship energy to a franchise that's still in search of its first-ever Super Bowl win.
