Ohio State fans don’t need to turn Bo Jackson’s early fall camp usage into a crisis just yet.
Yes, the buzz out of Columbus has been a little unexpected. Isaiah West has been getting the bulk of the work with the first team, while Jackson has been running with the second unit through the first stretch of camp.
But that alone doesn’t mean anything has changed with Jackson’s standing in the offense. He had offseason shoulder surgery after a torn labrum, and that missed spring ball.
A slower ramp-up makes plenty of sense.
West has earned attention early, and that matters too. Ohio State is clearly giving him a chance to make a move, and that’s a good sign for the backfield overall. He also had offseason surgery, so the Buckeyes are managing multiple backs carefully as camp opens.
Jackson’s resume is still the one that jumps off the page. As a freshman in 2025, the 6-foot, 215-pound back rushed for 1,090 yards and six touchdowns.
That kind of production is why people expected him to be the center of attention right away this August. It’s also why his current practice reps have sparked so much discussion.
But there’s more going on here than a simple depth-chart panic. Legend Bey was back at practice on August 8, 2026, after being suspended for the first two days of fall camp because of a violation of team rules, and he was working with the first team behind Isaiah West and Ja’kobi Jackson. That gives Ohio State more bodies and more flexibility as Ryan Day and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith sort out the rotation.
Jackson also stayed put in Columbus after rumors swirled in the winter that he might enter the transfer portal. He shut that down and made it clear he wants to stay with the Buckeyes and chase championships.
For now, the safest read is the simplest one: Ohio State is easing Jackson back after surgery, while West gets an extended look and the rest of the room settles in. If Jackson is still with the 2s a week before the opener against Ball State, then it’ll be time to worry. Right now, though, there’s no need to hit the panic button.
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Ohio States 2028 Recruiting Run Might Not Be Done Yet
Ohio States 2028 recruiting class is already shaping up as one of the earliest power statements in the cycle, with three five-star commits headlined by quarterback Christopher Vargas. Even with that kind of early momentum, the Buckeyes have not stopped pushing, and the class still has room to grow if the staff can keep building on the buzz it has created on the trail.
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Ohio State Just Made A Huge Statement About Its QB Future
Ohio State added a major piece to its future on the recruiting trail with the commitment of Christopher Vargas, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the 2028 class. Vargas picked the Buckeyes over Oregon, Virginia Tech and other schools, a significant win for a program that has long sold itself as one of the sports premier destinations for elite passers.
Vargas pointed to the coaching staff, the culture and the development opportunities under Ryan Day as the biggest factors in his decision, and that makes this more than just another early pledge. Day has built a strong reputation for grooming quarterbacks, with several of his former players going on to become first-round NFL draft picks, and landing a talent like Vargas only reinforces how powerful that pitch has become in Columbus. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Fall Camp Is Heating Up Behind Two Key Starters
Fall camp is starting to sort out a few of Ohio States early depth-chart questions as the Buckeyes turn toward their opener against Ball State. At running back, Isaiah West and Bo Jackson both entered camp after missing spring work because of shoulder injuries, and the early reps have been a good sign that both are back in the mix as the staff evaluates the room.
Wests offseason has given him a real foothold, while Jackson still has time to make up ground before the job is settled. The same kind of competition is playing out at receiver, where Jeremiah Smith looks lined up for the top spot and the battle for No. 2 is taking shape among Brandon Inniss, Chris Henry Jr. and transfer McCuin. [Read more 🡒]