Bo Jackson’s Breakout Year at Ohio State Was Just the Beginning
Lamar “Bo” Jackson didn’t just have a good freshman season - he had one of the most impressive debut campaigns by a running back in Ohio State history. And when you consider the legacy of backs who’ve worn the scarlet and gray, that’s saying something.
Jackson, a former four-star recruit out of Villa Angela-St. Joseph, cracked the 1,000-yard mark with 1,090 rushing yards as a true freshman - joining an elite group of Buckeye backs who’ve done the same.
That list includes names like J.K. Dobbins (1,403 in 2017), TreVeyon Henderson (1,255 in 2021), Maurice Clarett (1,237 in 2002), Robert Smith (1,126 in 1990), and Mike Weber (1,096 in 2016 - though Weber was a redshirt freshman).
What makes Jackson’s numbers even more impressive? He didn’t start the season as the No. 1 back.
He didn’t even play in the opener against Texas and had just nine carries in each of the next two games against Grambling State and Ohio University. By the end of the year, though, he had climbed to 26th nationally in rushing yards, 37th in yards per game (83.85), 42nd in yards per carry (6.09), and 48th in total attempts (179).
That’s production that speaks for itself - especially for a guy who had to earn every carry.
He added six 100-yard games to Ohio State’s already loaded history books - a mark that had been hit 533 times before 2025. His best came on the biggest stage: 117 yards against Michigan. And he did it all while battling through what appeared to be minor injuries at times.
Jackson’s efforts earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and third-team from the media. But if you watched him run - the burst, the vision, the balance - you know this is just the beginning. There’s another level he can reach, and if he gets there, we could be talking about him alongside the all-time greats in Columbus.
Here’s where Jackson can take the next step in Year 2:
1. Find the End Zone More Often
Six rushing touchdowns. That’s what Jackson finished with in 2025 - a modest number for a lead back at Ohio State.
Part of that was situational. He didn’t start the year atop the depth chart, and when the Buckeyes got near the goal line, C.J.
Donaldson often got the call. Donaldson, the West Virginia transfer, handled a lot of the short-yardage work - and while that’s not Jackson’s fault, it did limit his scoring opportunities.
Still, there were moments where it felt like Jackson was on the verge of breaking one. A shoestring tackle here, a missed block there - and suddenly a 40-yard touchdown becomes a 12-yard gain. With a little more polish and a few more chances, those near-misses could turn into six points.
2. Break More Tackles, Finish More Runs
Jackson wasn’t shy about contact, but as a freshman, there’s still room to grow physically. That’s normal. He flashed the ability to bounce off defenders and keep his feet moving through contact, but with another offseason in Ohio State’s strength program, expect him to come back with more power in his legs and upper body.
That extra strength will help him shed arm tackles and finish runs with more authority. He already has the speed to hit the second level - now it’s about turning five-yard gains into 20-yard bursts. If he adds more violence to his running style without losing his shiftiness, he becomes a nightmare for defenses.
3. Play in a Way That Demands More Carries
Sometimes, it’s not about asking for the ball - it’s about making it impossible for coaches to take it out of your hands.
We’ve seen it before at Ohio State. Ezekiel Elliott had that mentality - when he was rolling, he let the sideline know.
Jackson doesn’t need to be vocal about it. He just needs to run in a way that makes it obvious: keep feeding him.
Take the College Football Playoff game against Miami. Jackson had just 11 carries, yet he turned them into 55 yards - a clean 5.0 yards per attempt.
That kind of efficiency should’ve earned him more touches, especially against a defense with elite edge rushers. A stronger run game might’ve helped slow down Miami’s pressure and open up the rest of the offense.
Jackson has the tools to be that guy - the one who takes over a game and forces the coaching staff to ride the hot hand. And with a new offensive coordinator potentially on the way in Arthur Smith, there’s reason to believe the Buckeyes might lean more into the ground game moving forward.
The Path to Greatness
If Jackson improves in these areas - finishes runs, scores more touchdowns, and becomes the kind of back you can’t take off the field - he’ll be in the conversation with the best to ever do it in Columbus.
He has the talent. He has the vision. And with another offseason to add strength and refine his game, he’s set up to explode in 2026.
Ohio State has a proud tradition of elite running backs. Bo Jackson has already joined that lineage. Now, the question is: how far can he climb?