Ryan Day confirms suspicion on how Ohio State is going to handle its freshman who is beginning to look like a star
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes knew their running game would look much different this season after losing both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL. It wasn’t that the backfield would necessarily take a step back after losing two 1,000-yard rushers, but that it would have a completely new look. Coming into […]
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes knew their running game would look much different this season after losing both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL. It wasn’t that the backfield would necessarily take a step back after losing two 1,000-yard rushers, but that it would have a completely new look. Coming into the year, sophomore James Peoples was widely expected to be the lead back, with West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson penciled in as the second option.
From the very first game against the Texas Longhorns, that plan went out the window. Donaldson nearly doubled Peoples’ workload in the tough opener. Then in Week 2, once the Buckeyes had moved past Texas, a new face emerged—and he’s looked like the best running back on the roster. Freshman Bo Jackson has posted back-to-back 100-yard games against Grambling State and Ohio, and his role could continue to grow from here.
Ryan Day provides update on freshman RB Bo Jackson
“It doesn’t take a veteran coach to recognize talent when you see it, and Bo has talent,” Day said Tuesday afternoon. “We’re going to keep bringing him along. It’s a long season, so we’ll keep giving him opportunities to prove that we can trust him with the ball in his hands, and so far he’s done that. You can see his vision, his ability to catch the ball—he’s got a lot of different skills.”
Jackson has already flashed big-play ability. The former four-star recruit brings speed and power with a 6-foot, 217-pound frame that has stood out early. He broke onto the scene with nine touches for 109 yards against Grambling State, though much of that production came after the game was in hand. He also scored his first touchdown in that game. Then against Ohio, Jackson once again logged nine touches for 109 yards, but this time he was involved from the start and made a significant impact.
Wearing No. 25, Jackson also caught a pair of passes for 21 yards against Ohio. Just as important, he has yet to put the ball on the ground. The quickest way to lose the trust of running backs coach Carlos Locklyn is to cough up the football—something that won’t be tolerated in the Buckeyes’ offense. As long as Jackson continues to protect the ball, there’s little reason to think he won’t soon be Ohio State’s definitive starter. Talent has a way of winning out, and Jackson brings plenty of it to Columbus.
“We’re going to keep bringing him along. The more he can take, the more we’re going to give him.”
Ohio State Buckeyes News
Ohio State Buckeyes are dealing with other teams trying to take away one of their key recruits who they’ll need
The Ohio State Buckeyes are now on a bye week before they begin Big Ten play on the road against the Washington Huskies. Ohio State has taken care of business so far, defeating Texas, Grambling State, and Ohio. With a week off, the Buckeyes can address some issues that have shown up over the first […]
