The Ohio State football running backs’ squad has recently expanded significantly. Coach Ryan Day and Chip Kelly have worked tirelessly throughout the winter and spring to assemble one of the best 2025 recruiting classes. Bo Jackson was a prominent figure in the mix. Alabama’s new coach, Kalen DeBoer, and a title-deprived Georgia Bulldogs team managed by Kirby Smart were willing to make a big offer for this outstanding rusher. He eventually decided to join the Buckeyes and doesn’t appear to regret it.
Bo Jackson is a Buckeyes RB
According to Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors, Bo Jackson has officially joined Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class. He joins Ryan Day’s deep running back rotation, which also includes TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, James Peoples, TC Caffrey, and Sam Williams-Dixon.
What prompted Bo Jackson choose Ohio State over Georgia and Alabama? It was all about the promised usage rate for him. After all, the ultimate goal is to make it to the NFL, which he will only be able to achieve if he is given adequate opportunities to shine.
“They claim with a new offensive coordinator, they’ll get the ball to the running back more often in the backfield. Throwing the ball, sprinting with it, everything. My mom and I had a wonderful conversation with Chip Kelly during my spring visit to Ohio State. The way he’s organized the offensive. It feels like it’s going to open up everything, but everything is spaced out,” the youthful rusher remarked.
This style of offense in Ryan Day’s system prompted Jackson to say, “I love how they use their backs.”
Now, Ohio State football has a powerful running back with a wicked stiff arm. They’re getting someone with long legs. He scored 30 touchdowns for his squad and rushed for 1,700 yards. Despite other major personalities attempting to gain more exposure in photos, he will undoubtedly stand out. For now, the Buckeyes should be happy. They prevented high-profile institutions such as Georgia and Alabama from landing the fifth-best running back in the 2025 class.
Ohio State football’s new running back and his opportunities
The Buckeyes will always be stacked with top-tier talent. They have one of the largest programs and the highest NIL budgets in the nation. All of this, along with a great alumni following and a football-crazed student body, will undoubtedly make anyone want to commit there.
However, the situation in the running back room will also be resolved. This occurs once he becomes an official player for the program. Ohio State expects both Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Hendrickson to be drafted into the NFL next year. This allows them to deploy Jackson as a clear top option for ground plays.
This allows him to demonstrate his skills in front of NFL scouts. Furthermore, the level of output he will offer with his projected use rate may push Ohio State close to another national title run. Will he be the missing element that allows Coach Ryan Day to win the College Football Playoff National Championship before Alabama or Georgia can do so again?