​An Ohio State club football player has earned a call-up to the Buckeyes’ Division I roster this week. On July 7, the Ohio State club football program announced via social media that Jackson Gula, listed as a defensive back on the Buckeyes’ roster, has earned walk-on status ahead of the 2026 season. This development marks a significant step for a player who has already distinguished himself at the club level and is now transitioning toward the university’s top competitive tier.
Gula hails from Streetsboro, a city in northeast Ohio, and his journey with Ohio State’s club football program has been marked by steady improvement and standout performances. His performance during his freshman season with the club team earned him Second Team National Club Football Association All-American honors, underscoring his impact and potential at the defensive back position. As a safety, Gula made 29 tackles over six games in the club team’s national-championship-winning season, an impressive stat line that reflects his ability to read plays, close on the ball, and contribute across the field.
The announcement of Gula’s walk-on status arrived as part of Ohio State’s ongoing updates about its football program and incoming players. The move to the Division I ranks is not only a personal milestone for Gula but also a signal of Ohio State’s continued interest in developing talent from within its broader football ecosystem, including the club and developmental programs that prepare players for higher levels of competition. By stepping up to join the Division I roster as a walk-on, Gula will now have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the defensive backfield during the 2026 season, joining a program renowned for its depth, competition, and high standards on the field.
Gula’s journey from Streetsboro to Columbus and onto the Buckeyes’ Division I roster illustrates the pathways available within Ohio State’s football structure for student-athletes who excel at the club level. The club program’s success, culminating in a national championship during his tenure, has helped elevate his profile and provided a platform for exposure to Division I coaches and recruiters. The recognition he received as a Second Team National Club Football Association All-American further reinforces the level of talent he demonstrated in his first year with the club squad.
As a safety and defensive back, Gula’s skill set includes a combination of coverage awareness, ball skills, and tackling ability, all of which are critical for success at higher levels of play. His ability to contribute eight pass breakups in six games during the club team’s championship run highlights his playmaking capabilities and his willingness to contest passes and disrupt opposing offenses. With 29 tackles in that season, he demonstrated a reliable presence near the line of scrimmage and in the secondary, contributing to the team’s overall defensive success.
The transition from club football to Division I is a notable leap, but it is one that many players have successfully navigated through Ohio State’s programs and its strong pipeline of development. Gula’s walk-on status will require him to compete for a roster spot during preseason practices and fall camp, where he will have the opportunity to showcase his quickness, instincts, and tackling ability against a field of capable defenders. As a walk-on, he will not be on an athletic scholarship initially, but his performance could earn him a scholarship or a more secure role on the defensive roster, depending on his contributions and the needs of the team.
Overall, the update about Jackson Gula reflects a broader trend at Ohio State of recognizing and promoting players who have proven themselves at the club level. For Gula, this week represents more than just a personal achievement; it signals the potential for continued growth and the chance to leave a lasting imprint on Ohio State’s Division I program. If he can translate his club-level success to the higher level, he could develop into a reliable defensive back with the versatility to contribute in coverage, run support, and special teams in the future.
As Ohio State prepares for the 2026 season, Gula’s name will be one to watch as he makes the transition from club football to the pinnacle of college football on the Buckeyes’ roster. His path from Streetsboro to Columbus, his standout club-season statistics, and his recognition as a National Club Football Association All-American collectively build a compelling narrative about his potential impact at the Division I level. The Buckeyes’ current roster and coaching staff will be assessing how he fits into their defensive plans, and if he continues to develop, he could become a meaningful contributor in years to come. This latest development underscores Ohio State’s continued commitment to nurturing versatile, hardworking players who seize opportunities to prove themselves at higher levels of competition.