Its Official 1000% Commited #TheeOhioStateFootball #Blessed@ryandaytime @Locklyn33 @OhioStateFB @TonyJCoach #Ohio25 @EliLee12 @TJSaint_1 @big_carter72 #WhoGotNext pic.twitter.com/Zj4LKdoI8a

— Bo Jackson (@BoJackson2025) June 4, 2024

Regardless of whether you go by Jackson’s legal first name, Lamar, or his nickname, Bo, the newest member of the Buckeyes’ 2025 cycle shares a name with a former Heisman Trophy winner. Sounds like a great omen for a successful collegiate career.

That said, after a lengthy recruitment that involved holding off Georgia and Alabama in the end, Ohio State accomplished a major goal by successfully keeping four-star 2025 running back Bo Jackson in-state on Tuesday with the Cleveland product’s commitment to the Buckeyes.

Jackson’s official visit over the weekend sealed the 6-foot, 205-pound running back’s recruitment, as the talented tailback got a feel for what life could be like for him with the Buckeyes. He attended a gathering thrown by JT Tuimoloau and bonded with his player host, Sam Williams-Dixon on his visit. He also spent extensive time with Carlos Locklyn, who showed him how he’d develop in Chip Kelly’s offense. While Jackson still had an Alabama official visit scheduled, he felt comfortable ending his recruitment early and pledging to his home state team. 

“Overall, it was a great weekend for me and my family,” Jackson told Eleven Warriors of his visit. “Spending time with coach Ryan Day, Chip Kelly and Carlos Locklyn were great, but the real highlight with both trips so far was hanging with current players around campus.”

In a weird way, Tony Alford’s departure to Michigan in the spring may have actually helped the Buckeyes land Jackson, considering Alford’s replacement was Locklyn, the former Oregon running backs coach. Jackson had established a strong rapport with Locklyn from his time with the Ducks and it was a seamless transition recruiting him in his new role at Ohio State. Since Locklyn arrived on campus, he and Jackson spoke nearly every other day until his commitment.

Jackson is the 13th OSU commitment in 2025 and the first running back, though he likely won’t be the last. Ohio State continues to be in strong pursuit of four-star California prospect Jordon Davison and also has a vested interest in former Kentucky commit Isaiah West. Another potential fit could be Alabama commit Anthony Rogers, who just took an unofficial visit to Ohio State last week and may take an official visit this fall.

Jackson brings powerful running style to Columbus, could get early playing time

Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Jackson is considered the No. 81 prospect nationally and the No. 5 running back in the 2025 class. It’s hard not to dream on how Jackson could be utilized in Ohio State’s offense immediately upon his arrival on campus, considering the carries that will likely be available assuming TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are NFL-bound following the 2024 season.

“They say with a new offensive coordinator they’re going to get the ball to the running back a lot in the backfield,” Jackson said in May. “Throwing the ball, running the ball, everything. My parents and I had a good talk with Chip Kelly (on my spring visit to OSU). The way he’s got everything set up in the offense, it feels like it’s going to open up everything with everything spaced out.” 

Jackson is both a powerful runner and a talented pass catcher and will bring a mean streak to an Ohio State rushing attack that may only get better using Kelly’s offensive schemes. He’s talented enough that he could vie for early playing time in 2025, though players like James Peoples and Williams-Dixon will be one year ahead of him.

“I love how they use their backs,” Jackson said last year regarding what he felt was the most appealing thing about playing for Ohio State.

Jackson has elite acceleration and can run between the tackles or in an outside zone. Arm tackles aren’t going to get the job done against Jackson, who scored nearly 30 touchdowns and ran for 1,700 yards in his junior season.

(WJW) — It’s almost the official start to summer in Northeast Ohio! There are plenty of festivals and events to plan for. And we’ll add even more below as dates are announced.

Check out some of our other guides here:

2024 Ohio fair schedule
NE Ohio concerts you shouldn’t miss in 2024
Pools in Northeast Ohio
Outdoor water parks in Ohio

Happy planning!

JUNE

Wade Oval Wednesdays
June 12 – Aug. 14 | Wade Oval
Opening acts feature up-and-coming local talent, and intermission acts will accompany many shows. There are four cultural celebration nights: Juneteenth on June 19; Disability Pride on July 26; Latinx Heritage on July 10; and LGBTQ+ Pride on Aug. 14. The free concerts take place Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Akron Juneteenth Celebration Weekend
June 15 – June 22 | Akron
Several events are set over a one-week period to celebrate the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. The official 26th Akron Juneteenth Celebration is just one, and happens Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. at Stoner/Hawkins Park. Full schedule.

Metrohealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest
June 14 – June 15 | Downtown Cleveland
The event celebrates the day that marked the end of slavery in the U.S. There will be fireworks Friday night. Saturday, there will be live performances, food and vendors. The event is free.

Blazing Paddles Paddlefest
June 21 – 22 | Rivergate Park
This festival came to be to mark how far the Cuyahoga River has come since it caught fire more than 50 years ago. Paddleboarders and kayakers take to the water and can even stop at multiple places along the river for a bite to eat.

Larchmere Porchfest
June 29 | Larchmere district
Thirty-plus bands will perform on front porches in this neighborhood. There’s also a PorchFest beer garden along with lots of walkable shops and places to grab a bite. Headlining this year is Sam Hooper Group and Marcus Smith.

JULY

Asian Lantern Festival
July 5 – Aug. 25 | Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Guests can experience the zoo after dark with plenty of displays lighting the way, including a 50-foot pagoda and walk-through tunnels. There will also be live acrobatic performances every hour and a wide selection of culturally-inspired food options. The walk-through experience will be Thursdays through Sundays, while a drive-thru experience will also be available on select nights. Tickets to the festival are already on sale. 

Pan-American Masters Games 2024
July 12 – July 21 | Northeast Ohio
The Olympic-like sports festival for master athletes over 30 is expected to be the largest international gathering in Northeast Ohio’s history. It’s held every four years in the Americas. The games will feature athletes from more than 50 countries competing in 26 different sports in venues all over Northeast Ohio. More here on joining and watching the fun.

Cain Park Arts Festival
July 12 – 14 | Cleveland Heights
This three-day juried arts festival also offers live entertainment, lots of food and concessions and other events. Admission is free. More info here.

Taste of Tremont
July 21 | Tremont
This annual street festival features food, art and entertainment for the whole family. The event runs from noon to 8 p.m.

AUGUST

Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week
Aug. 1 – Aug. 4 | Canton
A slew of events is scheduled throughout the weekend including the Hall of Fame Game featuring the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears; the Canton Repository Grand Parade and Enshrinees Roundtable; autograph sessions; the Gold Jacket Dinner; and the 2024 class enshrinement. There’s also the Concert for Legends, featuring Carrie Underwood. For all events and tickets, click here.

Twins Day Festival
Aug. 2 – Aug. 4 | Twinsburg
Twins come from all over the world to celebrate. This year’s theme is Twindy 500: Off Two the Races! There’s a hot dog roast, double take parade, entertainment, contests and more along with fireworks on Saturday.

Summer Slam
Aug. 3 | Cleveland Browns Stadium
This year’s event is expected to be the largest WWE event ever hosted in Ohio. While it’s not known until the event who is participating, Cleveland is home to several WWE Superstars including Logan Paul, The Miz, and Johnny Gargano. Click here for tickets.

Feast of the Assumption
Aug. 15-Aug. 18 | Little Italy
Food, food and more food are just some of the highlights of the five-block festival. The solemn procession starts at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, with entertainment like bands and other performances in the hours and days after. See the full schedule of events at the Holy Rosary Church right here.

Bash on the Bay
Aug. 21 – 22 | Put-in-Bay
The two-day outdoor music festival happens at Put-in-Bay Airport on South Bass Island. This year’s headliners are Jelly Roll with Oliver Anthony and Warren Zeiders; and Hardy with Ernest. Tickets here.

Cleveland Garlic Festival
Aug. 24 – 25 | Shaker Square
It’s one of the smelliest food festivals in America. There are lots of garlic dishes and treats, along with music, cooking demos, vendors and more. Tickets here.

SEPTEMBER

Cleveland Oktoberfest
Aug. 30 – Sept. 2 & Sept. 6 – 7 | Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Berea
Along with lots of beer and food, there’s also polka, fireworks, entertainment and more. New this year is the Cleveland Oktoberfest Grandstand Concert Series. Tickets and more info here.

Cleveland National Air Show
Aug. 31 & Sept. 1-2 | Cleveland
This year’s show at Burke Lakefront Airport features the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. On the ground, families can check out planes of all sizes. Tickets and more info here.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 41-year-old man was rushed to the hospital early Monday after being shot in the city’s Warehouse District.

Police were called to the area of W. 9th Street and Johnson Court around 12:50 a.m.

One person was taken into custody near the shooting scene.

The names of the suspect and victim have not been released.

19 News has reached out to Cleveland police for additional information.

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