Bo Jackson at Ohio State? Legendary Two-Sport Icon’s Surprise Visit Sends Buckeye Nation into Frenzy

Ohio State freshman running back Bo Jackson has exploded onto the national radar, and the phrase “Bo Jackson Ohio State” is now one of the hottest search terms in college football. The Buckeyes’ first-year star gashed Rutgers for 110 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries last weekend, a breakout that earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, his first conference award of the season. Key Stats at a Glance • Season rushing: 835 yards on 129 carries (6.5 ypc) • Touchdowns: 5 rushing TDs, including three multi-score games • Big Ten ranks: 7th in rushing yards, 5th in yards per game (80.6), 6th in yards per carry Why Bo Jackson Matters for Ohio State’s Title Defense The defending national champions have leaned on quarterback Julian Sayin for most of 2025, but head coach Ryan Day knows a balanced attack is mandatory for a repeat run. Jackson’s back-to-back 100-yard outings give Ohio State the downhill threat it lacked early in the year. His vision between the tackles and 4.4-speed in the open field have turned routine zone handoffs into chunk plays, stretching defenses that already fear the Buckeyes’ elite receiving corps. Freshman Milestones Within Reach Jackson is barreling toward the 1,000-yard plateau, a mark achieved by only four true freshmen in program history—Robert Smith, Maurice Clarett, J.K. Dobbins and TreVeyon Henderson. At his current pace, he needs just 165 yards over the final two regular-season games to join that exclusive club. Matchup Spotlight: The Game vs. Michigan Ohio State’s season inevitably funnels into the late-November showdown in Ann Arbor. Since 2000, the team with more rushing yards has won 18 of 24 editions of The Game. Jackson’s recent surge could be the X-factor against a Wolverine front seven that has allowed only 3.2 yards per carry. If he cracks triple digits again, the Buckeyes’ playoff path widens considerably. Name Game: Two Bo Jacksons, One Legacy Yes, today’s Bo Jackson was named after the two-sport legend from Auburn, but the Ohio State version is quickly carving his own legacy in scarlet and gray. At media day he joked that sharing the iconic name “adds pressure and motivation,” a mindset reflected in his relentless yards-after-contact numbers. What’s Next Ohio State hosts Minnesota before traveling to Michigan, giving Jackson another tune-up to fine-tune his burst and pass-blocking responsibilities. Running backs coach Tony Alford hinted this week that the freshman’s snap count “will keep climbing” as the stakes rise. For Buckeye Nation and search engines alike, “Bo Jackson Ohio State” is only going to trend higher.