If you were watching the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal between Ohio State and Miami and did a double take when the announcer said “Bo Jackson,” you weren’t alone. Yes, Ohio State has a running back named Bo Jackson.
No, he’s not related to that Bo Jackson-the Auburn legend who won the Heisman in 1985 and famously dominated both the NFL and MLB. But this Bo Jackson is starting to carve out a name of his own.
Ohio State’s Bo Jackson, a true freshman out of Cleveland, Ohio, is already making noise. He punched in the Buckeyes' first touchdown of the game in the third quarter-an exclamation point on what’s been a breakout season. Jackson earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 and crossed the 1,000-yard rushing mark, a rare feat for a freshman in a conference known for rugged defenses and punishing fronts.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting: his real name isn’t Bo. It’s Lamar Jackson Jr.-yes, the same name as the Ravens’ All-Pro quarterback.
And no, there’s no relation there either. According to a report, the nickname “Bo” came from his father, who saw his son's two-sport athleticism and was reminded of the original Bo Jackson.
Like his namesake, Ohio State’s Bo was a standout in both football and track during his high school days at Villa Angela-St. Joseph in Cleveland-a program with serious pedigree.
It’s the same school that produced Desmond Howard, Michigan’s Heisman winner and NFL standout.
Coming out of high school, Jackson was a hot commodity. He had offers from some of the biggest names in college football-Notre Dame, Penn State, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and yes, even Auburn.
But he chose the Buckeyes, and it’s looking like a perfect fit. He’s got the vision, burst, and balance that make you sit up a little straighter when he touches the ball.
And now, with a touchdown in a College Football Playoff game under his belt, he’s no longer just a name that makes fans do a double take-he’s a player who’s starting to make his own legacy.
Bo Jackson in scarlet and gray? It’s real. And if his freshman campaign is any indication, we’re just getting started.