Ohio State’s national championship defense in the Cotton Bowl exposed a real problem: the running game disappeared when it mattered most. In the first half against Miami on December 31, the Buckeyes managed just -3 rushing yards, and Bo Jackson — the back who had carried Ohio State’s ground game for most of the 2025 season touched the ball only 11 times. Months later, head coach Ryan Day is still pointing to that number as he outlines what Jackson needs to fix heading into 2026.
Ryan Day Praises Bo Jackson’s Growth Through Fall Camp
Asked what’s stood out about Jackson through the opening stretch of fall camp, Day credited real progress in how the sophomore running back is processing the game — while also making clear there’s still work to do. Day said Jackson’s read of the hole and ability to hit it has clearly improved, but the bigger issue is what happens after first contact. Day explained that last season, Jackson wasn’t consistently breaking tackles or making defenders miss at the second level, and that gap is now showing up as an emphasis point in practice this fall.
Bo Jackson’s Freshman Season Numbers vs. His Cotton Bowl Struggles
Jackson’s rookie campaign was, by most measures, a success. He rushed for 1,090 yards and six touchdowns on 179 carries, becoming just the fifth true freshman in Ohio State history to top 1,000 rushing yards. The concern isn’t his volume production — it’s consistency after contact.
That issue was on full display against Miami’s defensive front in the CFP quarterfinal. The Hurricanes sacked quarterback Julian Sayin five times and dominated the line of scrimmage, holding Jackson to just 55 yards on 11 carries. The performance added fuel to questions about how reliably Jackson can turn broken plays and contact into extra yardage against elite competition.
Ohio State’s Running Back Competition Heats Up Behind Bo Jackson
Day hasn’t downplayed the level of competition Jackson is facing this offseason. A shoulder surgery kept Jackson out of all of spring practice, opening the door for backup Isaiah West — who posted 310 yards and two touchdowns on 59 carries last season — to take first-team reps to open fall camp. Ohio State is also working Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson into the mix, and the coaching staff appears to be seriously considering a three-back rotation entering the season.
By the ninth practice of preseason camp, Day noted that Jackson had begun to separate himself again, crediting the sophomore’s response to the added competition and coaching emphasis.
Ryan Day’s Message to Bo Jackson Ahead of the 2026 Season
Day made clear that Ohio State saw real promise from Jackson as a true freshman, but also left production on the field — particularly in the passing-down and short-yardage situations where finishing runs matters most. That combination of praise and challenge has defined the coaching staff’s approach with Jackson this fall, as Day pushes him to turn strong practice habits into in-game results.
Day was also careful to temper expectations, noting that fall camp performance only matters once it translates to live competition against an opponent.
What’s Next for Bo Jackson and the Ohio State Offense in 2026
Jackson now enters his sophomore season with a much higher bar to clear. Simply matching his freshman-year numbers won’t be enough for a Buckeyes offense looking to avoid a repeat of the physicality issues that plagued it in the CFP quarterfinal loss to Miami. The challenge, as Day has laid out, is straightforward: sharpen his vision, hit the hole with more decisiveness, and consistently fight for extra yardage once he reaches the second level.
With a crowded backfield competition pushing him and a coaching staff clearly counting on his development, Jackson’s ability to close that gap could go a long way in determining how far Ohio State’s offense can go in 2026.
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