Ja’Kobi Jackson’s role continues to grow in Ohio State’s backfield after a five-game stretch that has produced 278 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and his first career start at Iowa.

Ja’Kobi Jackson entered the 2026 season competing with Bo Jackson and Isaiah West for carries in Ohio State’s backfield. Five games later, he has 45 carries for 278 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry with six rushing touchdowns. He has scored in every game, and his workload has increased each week since the season opener.

Jackson carried eight times for 83 yards and a touchdown against Ball State, including a 49-yard run. He had five carries for 20 yards and a touchdown at Texas, eight carries for 47 yards, and two touchdowns against Kent State, and 10 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown against Illinois.

Jackson made his first start at Iowa as a Buckeye and carried 14 times for 72 yards and a touchdown in Ohio State’s 31-14 win. He played 30 snaps and had no negative rushing plays. Ohio State leaned on its running game in the second half, running 28 times on 39 plays. Jackson and Bo Jackson combined for 30 carries and 142 yards.

Ryan Day has pointed to Jackson’s physicality throughout the season. After the Kent State game, Day said Jackson had separated himself through the way he practiced and ran.

“I thought Ja’Kobi ran harder,” Day said. “How they practice is gonna determine how we play them.”

Day expanded on that point Tuesday, saying Ohio State’s running backs ran downhill and played with more physicality against Iowa.

“I think they ran downhill and they got physical,” Day said. “I think our running game right now, when you look at the efficiency, is solid, but we want to be more explosive still. We want to create bigger runs.”

Jackson’s value has extended beyond the box score. He has shown he can handle pass protection and the physical demands Ohio State places on its running backs.

Christian Alliegro offered a glimpse into why Jackson has been difficult to tackle near the goal line.

“He’s like a bowling pin when he gets down there in the red zone; he’s hard to tackle,” Alliegro said. “He’s got a low center of gravity, so guys are just bouncing all over him.”

That style has translated into strong efficiency. Jackson’s 6.2 yards per carry leads Ohio State’s primary running backs. His 85.8 PFF rushing grade also leads the group, ahead of Bo Jackson at 79.1 and West at 73.3.

Through four games, Jackson had a 52 percent rushing success rate and averaged 5.55 yards after contact per carry. He had not recorded a run for zero or negative yards at that point. Those numbers help explain why Ohio State keeps increasing his workload. The Buckeyes have three backs who can contribute, and Jackson has made his opportunities count.

Day sees the competition as an advantage for the position group.

“Ja’Kobi’s coming in, and I think he’s pushing Bo, but … they have a great relationship, and I think it’s a healthy relationship, and I think it’s a healthy competition,” Day said. “And Isaiah West … all three of these guys got to play really well for us.”

Luke Montgomery has seen the same development from the offensive line. “Overall, the running backs are running really hard. It’s been fun to watch. They’re finding their identity right now,” Montgomery said.

Ohio State still wants more explosive runs. Montgomery pointed to plays against Iowa in which defenders came off blocks and reached the ankles of Bo Jackson, Ja’Kobi Jackson, or West, giving Jackson an opportunity to claim more of the workload without taking Ohio State away from its three-back approach.

Through five games, his 278 rushing yards trail only Bo Jackson’s 353 among Ohio State’s primary backs. He has done it on 45 carries, giving him the highest average in the group.

“I’m just ready for whenever my number is called to be ready.”