The Ohio State football program has had 25 players declare for the Transfer Portal to this point. That's significantly more players than last season. A lot of them have moved on after Brian Hartline left as the offensive coordinator, while some defensive players are in search of more playing time.
One player who was rumored to be exploring the portal was Bo Jackson. Rumors were spreading that Jackson was considering entering the portal because he wanted a significant raise heading into next season. There were talks he could be looking for something in the ball part of $1.5 million.
It's hard to determine how much money he was seeking from another program, but it doesn't seem that he found what he was looking for. Or, perhaps the Buckeyes are going to pay him more. Whatever the case may be, Jackson has announced that he will stay in 2026.
The Ohio State football team will keep Bo Jackson for 2026
Jackson will be the returning starting running back next season. He took over the starting spot early in the year after a breakout game against Ohio. That performance solidified his spot at the top of the depth chart. He becomes one of the Ohio State Buckeyes' most valued starters next year.
Keeping Jackson is something Ryan Day needed to do. He showed the ability to have breakaway speed once he gets through the holes. Unfortunately, the offensive line struggled to block well for him in the final few games of the season. That is something that needs to change.
Day still has time to get into the Transfer Portal and bring some offensive linemen in. That still remains as the highest priority on the offensive side of the ball for the Buckeyes heading into next season. Getting guys who can open holes up so Jackson doesn't have to work so hard is crucial.
Jackson is an Ohio native, so keeping him was probably a little bit easier because of that.