Ohio State Buckeyes running back/receiver/return man Legend Bey stands alone in the team's RB room. That's Cleveland.com's Stephen Means' take on the Buckeyes' most-improved position from last year offensively, anyway.
Per Means, "Bo Jackson is the starter, and West is his co-star. Ja‘Kobe Jackson is a guy who’ll get used situationally, similar to how C.J. Donaldson was used last season. Turbo Rogers and Favour Akih provide depth even if neither sees a ton of meaningful snaps this season. Then there’s Bey. The freshman whose hype meter doesn’t seem to have a ceiling, who can throw a wrench into all of those plans by being the solution to the lack of explosion this room lacked in 2025."
Bo Jackson seemingly played well enough last year to justify remaining the team's workhorse back, but that was under Brian Hartline. With Arthur Smith in tow, there could be a different totem pole in Columbus this fall.
No totem pole can deny Bey, who was "too explosive to keep off the field" when he was healthy during spring practice. A hamstring injury cost Bey several weeks of practice, including the 2026 spring football game.
Ohio State RB room is the most open position on the team
There's a level of certainty at nearly every position for the Scarlet and Gray this fall. Except one.
Quarterback has Julian Sayin as the starter, and Tavien St. Clair as QB2/QB-in-waiting. The receiver room has Jeremiah Smith as WR1, and Chris Henry Jr. looks certain to be WR2. Ian Moore could steal a starting spot in the trenches, but the team's top seven is pretty set in stone. Northwestern Wildcats transfer Hunter Welcing looks like a primary blocking TE, while sophomore Nate Roberts should be the top receiving target.
Defensively, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is the top EDGE. James Smith, John Walker, and Eddrick Houston are your tackles. The CB room has Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Matthews Jr. back lining up out wide. Transfers Terry Moore and Earl Little Jr. have established themselves elsewhere in the secondary alongside Jaylen McClain.
But running back? The RB spot has two co-stars and a major wrench that could be thrown into the mix. Luckily, RB is a position where you want that problem. You could never have enough weapons out of the backfield, after all.
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