Eric Boggs
Ohio State will enter spring practice without its top two running backs, but from a Buckeye perspective, the situation is more about patience than panic. Head coach Ryan Day confirmed that sophomores Bo Jackson and Isaiah West are undergoing shoulder surgeries and will miss all of spring ball, with both expected to return at full strength in the summer. While the timing is less than ideal, the long-term outlook for Ohio State’s backfield remains strong.
Jackson emerged as the Buckeyes’ featured back early in the 2025 season and quickly became one of the offense’s most reliable weapons. After back-to-back 100-yard games against Grambling State and Ohio, he took control of the backfield and never really looked back, finishing the year with 1,090 rushing yards and six touchdowns. His performance against Michigan, where he piled up more than 160 yards from scrimmage, stood out as a defining moment in his breakout season. West complemented Jackson well, providing steady production as a physical, consistent runner. He flashed his potential midseason and finished with over five yards per carry, giving Ohio State a dependable second option who thrived in key stretches.
Day has made it clear that expectations for both players rise significantly in year two. Jackson and West are no longer freshmen learning on the fly; they are experienced, versatile backs who fit the Buckeyes’ vision of three-down contributors. If Ohio State is going to make the kind of postseason run it expects, their development into complete, high-impact players will be essential.
In their absence this spring, the spotlight shifts to the depth that Ohio State has worked hard to build. Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson brings experience and proven production after rushing for more than 500 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 before an injury cut his 2025 season short. Redshirt freshman Anthony “Turbo” Rogers and incoming freshmen Favour Akih and Legend Bey will also have the opportunity to earn valuable reps. All three young backs were highly regarded recruits, and Bey in particular has generated excitement for his explosiveness and positional versatility.
Spring practice, which begins March 10 and runs through the April 18 spring game, will be about growth and evaluation rather than immediate results. While Buckeye fans would naturally prefer to see the full running back room on the field, the bigger picture remains encouraging. With Jackson and West on track to return healthy and a talented group gaining experience behind them, Ohio State’s backfield still looks well-positioned to be a strength when it matters most.
