The Ohio State Buckeyes have a storied history of producing elite running backs, from Archie Griffin to Ezekiel Elliott to J.K. Dobbins. On September 6, 2025, a new name emerged as a potential heir to that legacy: true freshman Bo Jackson. In Ohio State’s 70-0 rout of Grambling State, Jackson turned heads with a standout performance, rushing for 108 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries. His explosive debut has sparked excitement and a pressing question: could Bo Jackson be the next great Ohio State running back? Let’s dive into his performance, background, and potential to see if he’s poised to join the Buckeye pantheon.
The Grambling Game: A Star Is Born
In Ohio State’s Week 2 blowout against Grambling State, an FCS opponent, the Buckeyes unleashed their depth, giving younger players a chance to shine. Bo Jackson, a redshirt freshman from Villa Angela-St. Joseph in Cleveland, Ohio, seized the moment. Entering the game in the second half, Jackson delivered a performance that stole the show:
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Statistical Impact: Jackson carried the ball nine times for 108 yards, averaging an impressive 12 yards per carry. His 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter marked his first career score, and a 51-yard burst down the sideline showcased his breakaway speed. Another potential touchdown, an 8-yard run, was nullified by an illegal formation penalty.
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Physicality and Versatility: Jackson displayed a blend of power, speed, and elusiveness, breaking tackles and evading defenders with ease. As Eleven Warriors noted, he “looked like perhaps the Buckeyes’ most explosive RB” in the game.
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Teammate Praise: Star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was effusive, saying, “That’s the guy right there. I’ve been saying that since the spring. Bo Jackson’s the next one up, for sure.” Smith highlighted Jackson’s toughness, speed, and all-around ability, predicting he’ll be “the next great running back to come through” Ohio State.
While the competition level against Grambling must be considered—an FCS team that allowed 651 total yards and was paid $1 million to play—the context of Jackson’s debut is striking. As a redshirt freshman seeing his first significant action, he outshined fellow freshman Isaiah West (8 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD) and led the team in rushing yards, even with limited carries.
Bo Jackson’s Background: A Name and Talent to Match
Bo Jackson, whose given name is Lamar Jackson but goes by the nickname “Bo” (evoking the legendary two-sport athlete), arrived at Ohio State with high expectations. Ranked as the No. 160 overall prospect and No. 10 running back in the 2025 class by the 247Sports Composite, Jackson was a four-star recruit with a pedigree of production. As a junior at Villa Angela-St. Joseph, he rushed for 1,700 yards and nearly 30 touchdowns, showcasing a rare combination of size (6-foot-1, 205 pounds), speed, and agility.
A knee injury sidelined him for much of his senior year, potentially lowering his recruiting ranking, but his athletic profile remained elite. 247Sports praised his “physically imposing college-ready frame” and “elite short-area quickness,” noting his ability to “stack cuts together to find green grass” and run through arm tackles. Jackson’s versatility as a pass-catcher, honed through route-running drills with his father, also stood out, earning him MVP honors at an Under Armour Next camp in 2023.
At Ohio State, Jackson enrolled early in January 2025 and impressed in spring practices and the spring game, where he showcased his burst and vision against the Buckeyes’ second-team defense. Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn emphasized Jackson’s focus on ball security and pass protection, key details for earning early playing time. Eleven Warriors reported in March 2025 that Jackson was vying for the No. 3 running back spot behind James Peoples and C.J. Donaldson, with a potential role on special teams.
The Case for Bo Jackson as Ohio State’s Next Great Running Back
Jackson’s Grambling performance and overall profile make a compelling case for his potential stardom:
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Explosive Playmaking: His 12 yards per carry and 51-yard run against Grambling highlight his ability to turn modest opportunities into game-changing plays. Buckeye Huddle called him “the most talented running back” in Ohio State’s 2025 class, predicting he’d eat into the carries of Peoples and Donaldson. His ability to create when plays break down echoes the traits of past Buckeye greats like Maurice Clarett and Ezekiel Elliott.
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Physical Tools: At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Jackson has the size to handle the Big Ten’s physicality, combined with verified speed and agility from combine settings. His contact balance, noted by 247Sports, allows him to shrug off defenders, a trait evident in his tackle-breaking runs against Grambling.
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Versatility: Jackson’s pass-catching ability, praised since his high school days, positions him as a potential three-down back. While he didn’t record receptions against Grambling, his camp performances suggest he could be a weapon in Ohio State’s RPO-heavy offense, much like J.K. Dobbins was.
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Room to Grow: As a redshirt freshman, Jackson has four years of eligibility to develop. Eleven Warriors projects him as a future starter by 2027, but his Grambling performance suggests he could contribute sooner. With running back Anthony “Turbo” Rogers sidelined by injury, Jackson has a clear path to more carries in 2025.
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Team Context: Ohio State’s offense, led by quarterback Julian Sayin and receivers like Jeremiah Smith, forces defenses to spread out, creating running lanes. Jackson’s ability to exploit these, as seen in his 51-yard scamper, could make him a focal point as the season progresses.
The Case Against Jackson’s Immediate Stardom
While Jackson’s debut was electric, there are reasons to temper expectations:
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Competition Level: Grambling State was overmatched, allowing Ohio State to dominate with backups in the second half. Jackson’s stats, while impressive, came against a defense that struggled to tackle and was outclassed athletically. Performances against Big Ten foes like Michigan or Penn State will be a truer test.
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Depth Chart Competition: Ohio State’s running back room is crowded with talent. James Peoples and C.J. Donaldson are entrenched as the top two backs, and freshman Isaiah West also scored against Grambling. Buckeye Sports Bulletin noted that Jackson’s role may be limited to garbage time unless injuries or blowouts create opportunities.
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Limited Sample Size: One game, even a dominant one, doesn’t guarantee sustained success. Jackson’s nine carries represent a small sample, and he’ll need to prove consistency against stronger opponents. His knee injury history, though resolved, also raises questions about durability.
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Development Needs: Coach Locklyn emphasized that Jackson must master the “finer points” like pass protection and ball security to earn a larger role. His ability to handle blitz pickups in high-stakes games remains untested.
The Road Ahead for Bo Jackson
Jackson’s path to greatness hinges on his ability to build on this debut. Ohio State’s Week 3 matchup against Ohio University offers another chance for him to see significant carries, especially if the game becomes a blowout as predicted (58-3 by syracuse.com). Key games against Penn State (Nov. 1), Michigan, and Oregon will test his ability to perform against elite defenses. If Jackson can replicate his Grambling efficiency—breaking tackles and hitting big runs—he could force his way into the rotation sooner than expected.
Long-term, Jackson’s development under Carlos Locklyn, who has a track record of grooming NFL-caliber backs, bodes well. His work ethic, praised by teammate James Peoples as “head down, just working,” suggests he’s committed to improving. If he adds pass-blocking and receiving skills to his already-impressive rushing ability, Jackson could emulate the three-down dominance of past Buckeye stars.
The Verdict
Bo Jackson’s 108-yard, one-touchdown performance against Grambling State was a tantalizing glimpse of his potential. His combination of size, speed, and elusiveness, paired with Ohio State’s offensive scheme, positions him as a legitimate candidate to become the Buckeyes’ next great running back. While the competition level and limited sample size call for caution, his debut aligns with the early flashes of players like Ezekiel Elliott, who also started as a backup before ascending to stardom.
For now, Jackson is a rising star in a crowded backfield, but his Grambling performance and teammate endorsements suggest he’s ahead of schedule. If he continues to capitalize on opportunities and develops the finer points of his game, Bo Jackson could indeed carry the torch for Ohio State’s running back legacy. Buckeye fans should keep a close eye on No. 25 as the 2025 season unfolds—he might just be the next big thing in Columbus.
