Ohio State Buckeyes RB coach Carlos Locklyn is endlessly excited about the work sophomore running backs Bo Jackson and Isaiah West put in this offseason in the weight room. Locklyn believes the pair will be able to keep up, despite missing spring practices due to offseason shoulder surgeries.
Per Locklyn, "Bo and Isaiah, they're getting it. They're just not getting it physically, but they're getting it mentally. They're getting it in the weight room from (strength coach Mick Marotti). Because Isaiah and Bo's biggest issue last year was getting bigger and stronger. The weight room brings confidence. Both of them, they're confident. I think Bo's around 219, 220. Isaiah's 223. They're confident. Now it's getting the mental aspect of the game. I tell the kids all the time, 'Make knowledge your greatest talent.' So now they're getting the mental part because they know what's going to happen. They've been in those situations."
Jackson was a workhorse in the room last season, racking up 179 carries in an unimaginative offense from Brian Hartline, at least in the running game. Still, Jackson averaged over six yards per carry. Donaldson had 96 carries but averaged under four yards per carry. There's work to be done with the latter, but Arthur Smith is a perfect anecdote to raise Donaldson's ceiling.
Carlos Locklyn predicts big step forward for Ohio State RB room, touts self-confidence
Locklyn believes that his own abilities as a coach will positively reflect on Jackson and West's improvements. The last thing he's worried about is the duo not coming back and getting up to speed with a new offense.
As for the rest of the room, Locklyn shared somewhat generic compliments on Ja'Kobi Jackson, Anthony "Turbo" Rogers, and Favour Akih, while ripping Legend Bey for his shaky ball security tendencies but lauding him for everything else he does on the field.
Locklyn likes the speed he has on the field. He really likes what he believes he can do with a deep and talented RB room that needs to be a bigger focal point in Smith's offense to bring it all together.
Add us as a preferred source on Google