Sophomore Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson was rumored to be eyeing the transfer portal this past offseason. Ultimately, Jackson returned to Columbus. He recently opened up about the narrative.
Jackson vehemently denied that he was at risk of leaving, calling the talks "just rumors," and saying, "It wasn't really a hard decision. This is where I want to be. So I'm here where I want to be ... This is where I want to be."
There were no schools ever strongly linked to Jackson, so it's easy to believe him. Having waited it out, he now has the perfect play-caller for the running back position coming to central Ohio in Arthur Smith. The only thing Jackson has to contend with is a crowded running back room and a clear desire for the offense to revolve around star WR1 Jeremiah Smith.
Of course, the depth could work against Jackson and take his stats away. Realistically, he could be a team's workhorse and put up far gaudier stats elsewhere. Then again, if he wants to be at OSU, Jackson likely has a level of acceptance that he has to sacrifice for the greater good of a perennial contender.
Bo Jackson not satisfied with 2025 season at Ohio State
Jackson admitted that, regarding his freshman year, "I feel like it went pretty good, but obviously, it could have been better." He also reassured fans that he's working hard to recover from a shoulder injury that's kept him out of spring practice.
Jackson's dissatisfaction with the 2025 campaign is exactly what you want from a teenager who joined a national champion and then didn't help his squad repeat. While Jackson did as much as could have been expected out of the position, he was less dominant in losses against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship and the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
We'll see how he follows up a strong freshman year. If anything, he should know how much his presence is appreciated in Cbus with Buckeye fans convinced they'd almost lost it this past January.