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.