As Ohio State navigates its Spring football practice schedule, the running back room has the coaching staff’s attention as Legend Bey turns heads while Bo Jackson and Isaiah West miss time.
Spring break is behind the Ohio State football team, so now they are in full practice mode. Day 3 brought out the pads as preparations continue for the annual spring game on April 18. Over the next four weeks, head coach Ryan Day, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and running backs coach Carlos Locklyn will get a glimpse of how the running back room is shaping up.
One of the most intriguing storylines this spring is where the depth and young guys come together. With Isaiah West and Bo Jackson sidelined as they recover from minor injuries, the spotlight has shifted to the rest of the room with freshmen Legend Bey and Favour Akih, redshirt freshman Turbo Rogers, and senior transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson. Their performances over the next few weeks will go a long way in determining how the rotation looks not only for the spring game but also heading into fall camp.
Ryan Day coaching hands-on with the wide receivers and running backs. pic.twitter.com/nGfq7ivaOR
— Blake T. Biscardi (@BlakeBiscardi) March 12, 2026
The biggest question is how this group will ultimately take shape. Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn has shown he isn’t afraid to use three or even four backs in a season, something he did successfully in 2025 with Bo Jackson, CJ Donaldson, James Peoples, and Isaiah West. The depth allowed the Buckeyes to stay fresh and adapt to the long season. Will coach Locklyn bring that similar approach again, or will the return of Bo Jackson and Isaiah West in the fall establish a more defined top 1-2 punch as the others develop into depth pieces?
One player generating plenty of national buzz is freshman Legend Bey. They don’t just hand the No. 2 jersey out to anyone, especially a true freshman. Many are already feeling hype because of his versatility and explosiveness, even drawing early comparisons to former Buckeye Curtis Samuel and NFL standout Tyreek Hill. Bey’s ability to line up in multiple positions could create mismatches, giving Arthur Smith and Ryan Day another tool to use in the Ohio State offense. This spring will offer Bey the perfect opportunity to show how quickly he can adjust to the college game and build excitement for 2026.
Then there’s Turbo Rogers, another young back with speed to burn. Rogers arrived at Ohio State with plenty of anticipation after choosing Ohio State over Alabama on signing day in 2025. Now entering his second season and coming off an injury, Rogers, coming in at 5’8 198 lbs, has a chance to prove his worth. In two years of high school, Rogers rushed for over 2,700 yards and scored 40 touchdowns, averaging just over 9 yards per carry. Rogers brings patience, speed, and twitchiness to his game, which could develop nicely as a depth player for the Buckeyes’ offense in 2026.
Freshman Favour Akih is also entering the mix with momentum. After dominating at Delaware Hayes High School, Akih comes in a little under size at 5’11 and 184 lbs, and could use a great spring workout with coach Mick Marotti. The question is how he can develop and find himself in the rotation. Spring reps will be very crucial for him as he transitions into the college game.
Rounding out the group is senior transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson, a seasoned, savvy runner from Florida. Though he has just 509 career rushing yards at the FBS level, he produced 1,390 yards and 14 touchdowns during his junior college career at Coahoma Community College. Jackson brings maturity, experience, and size at 5’11 “, 217 lbs. His ability to adapt to the Buckeyes’ system will be watched closely.
No matter how the depth chart sorts itself out, this spring should be one of the most exciting in recent years for Ohio State’s running back room. Jackson and West continue to recover as young talent emerges. As the Buckeyes push through the spring practice, the nation will get an idea of what the running backs behind Jackson and West will look like.
