Ohio State Faces Early Adversity at Running Back - But Opportunity Awaits
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 2026 season hasn’t even kicked off yet, but Ohio State is already staring down its first real test - and it’s coming in the form of attrition in the backfield.
Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, the two running backs expected to headline the Buckeyes’ ground game, will be sidelined for spring practice as they recover from offseason shoulder surgeries. That means Ryan Day, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and running backs coach Carlos Locklyn will head into spring ball without their top two options - a challenge, no doubt, but also a chance to get a closer look at the depth they’ve been building behind the scenes.
And make no mistake, the Buckeyes are young at running back. Even with Jackson and West healthy, this group was going to be one of the least experienced position rooms on the roster. Now, with 15 spring practices on deck and two key names unavailable, the door swings wide open for a handful of under-the-radar backs to make their move.
Here are four names to keep an eye on as Ohio State’s spring storylines begin to take shape:
Anthony “Turbo” Rogers: The Forgotten Freshman with Something to Prove
Bo Jackson and Isaiah West stole the spotlight as true freshmen in 2025, combining for 1,400 rushing yards and making an immediate impact. But don’t forget about Anthony “Turbo” Rogers - the third member of that same signing class, and someone who could be ready to remind people why he was a four-star recruit.
Rogers, an Alabama native, flipped from the Crimson Tide to the Buckeyes late in the 2024 cycle. He didn’t enroll until June, and while he flashed some potential during fall camp, he never quite found his footing. Availability issues kept him off the field, and he ended his freshman season without a single snap.
Now, with a full offseason under his belt and a clear runway in front of him, Rogers is in position to finally show what he can do. He’s got the speed, the vision, and the pedigree. The question is whether he can put it all together with a full workload this spring.
Ja’Kobi Jackson: The Veteran Transfer with a Chance to Lead
While the rest of the room is filled with youth, Ohio State did add one experienced hand to the mix this offseason: Ja’Kobi Jackson, a transfer from Florida who brings a veteran presence to a group that desperately needs it right now.
Jackson’s journey hasn’t been linear. He started his college career back in 2020 at Coahoma Community College, then transferred to Florida in 2023 as a JUCO prospect. He didn’t see the field in his first year with the Gators, but over the past two seasons, he quietly put together 607 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
At 5-foot-11 and 214 pounds, Jackson brings a physical, downhill style that could complement Ohio State’s more explosive backs. And with this being his seventh year in college football, he’ll bring a level of maturity and experience that’s hard to teach. This spring could be his chance to carve out a meaningful role in the rotation - especially with two key names temporarily out of the picture.
Legend Bey: The Wild Card with Game-Breaking Potential
Ohio State fans got their first real taste of the Legend Bey hype train when Ryan Day spoke about him on his Jan. 30 radio show - and let’s just say, the head coach didn’t hold back.
“Legend Bey is a guy who is dynamite,” Day said. “I kind of call him maybe the poor man’s Tyreek Hill… He’s lightning in a bottle.”
That’s not hyperbole - Bey is a former high school quarterback from North Forney High School in Texas, where he was a one-man highlight reel. Five-touchdown games, six-touchdown games, juking defenders out of their cleats - he did it all. Now, the Buckeyes are looking to harness that raw athleticism and mold it into something special at running back.
Bey isn’t a traditional back, and that’s exactly what makes him so intriguing. He’s the kind of player who could line up in the backfield, motion into the slot, or take a jet sweep to the house. With Jackson and West out, the staff will get a chance to experiment - and Bey could be the biggest beneficiary of that creativity.
Favour Akih: Talented, But Still on the Mend
The Buckeyes added another intriguing piece in December when they signed four-star running back Favour Akih out of Delaware, Ohio. But Akih’s spring availability is still in question after suffering a season-ending ankle injury on his very first play of the high school season.
He did attempt to come back later in the year, but ultimately opted for surgery. The good news? He told reporters at his signing that he’s close to full strength.
If Akih is cleared in time for spring ball, he’ll have a real shot to earn early reps. He’s a physical, versatile back with good vision and toughness - the kind of player who could thrive in Arthur Smith’s offense, which leans on balance and physicality. But his impact this spring will depend entirely on how quickly he can get back to 100%.
The Bigger Picture
No coach wants to head into spring without two of his top offensive weapons. But if there’s a silver lining to Jackson and West being sidelined, it’s that Ohio State will get an extended look at the rest of its running back room - and that could pay dividends when the fall rolls around.
Turbo Rogers has something to prove. Ja’Kobi Jackson has experience to offer.
Legend Bey has the kind of explosive upside that could change a game in a single touch. And Favour Akih, once healthy, brings a well-rounded skill set that fits right in with what the Buckeyes want to do.
Spring football is often where depth is built and stars are born. For Ohio State, the adversity at running back might just be the catalyst for finding their next breakout player.