Isaiah West was one of several Ohio State running backs to nurse an injury in the offseason. West, though, has risen above it, bulked up significantly, and is now the lead back through the first few fall camp practices.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day confirmed what everyone surmised from West's rapid ascension in the backfield: West has had one of the best offseasons of anyone wearing Scarlet and Gray.
"He had a tremendous offseason, one of the best in the whole building," Day said of West. "When he was in there last year, he showed some real good things, so we want him to take the next step, just as we do Bo."
West's improvement comes at a great time. Freshman phenom Legend Bey was suspended for the first few practices of fall camp. Bey had previously lost the right to wear the prestigious OSU No. 2 during spring practices.
Meanwhile, many are wondering if Bo Jackson is still on track for greatness. Jackson even playing is a positive after shoulder surgery, but he clearly isn't progressing as well as West. Unfortunately for Jackson, West may not be willing to cede the ground he made up since both missed the spring.
Isaiah West has a chance to become a long-term starter for OSU
The former 3-star St. Joseph's Prep (PA) star West has a chance to be something few expected from him: a long-term pillar in Columbus. Under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, West has the chance to rearrange the depth chart. His work this offseason to get healthy clearly resonated with Day.
If West could remain RB1 through this season, he'll be in a great spot for 2027 as a junior. Few will expect him to go the NFL route after three years, but West is at a school that could help make that a reality quickly.
Carlos Locklyn paid immediate dividends in Central Ohio by helping Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson morph into a two-man championship power trip. Turning West into a two- or even three-year starter would be another masterclass in RB development.
Isaiah West could earn a lot of Ryan Day's trust this year
Day must be thinking that his RB room will probably look different next year, the way the spring is unfolding. One man he knows he could count on to make himself at home is West.
West was often a forgotten man this offseason in the room during the spring. He didn't have the proven production of a Jackson or the speculatively high ceiling of a Bey. West was more of a luxury than a need. Now, West is an example for the rest of the room to follow. And he's definitely a necessity.
Day wants the next step from West and Jackson, as he said. That'd take a statistical explosion from Jackson. For West, it'd be sliding into the role Bo once held down. The latter seems more realistic right now, but a lot can change over the next few months.
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