Bo knows where he wants to be in 2026.
After reports circulated in the past several days that he might enter the transfer portal, breakout star running back Bo Jackson is returning to Ohio State for his sophomore season, per CBS Sports.
Ohio State True Freshman All-American RB Bo Jackson plans to return to Ohio State for the 2026 season, sources tell @mzenitz and I for @CBSSports.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) January 9, 2026
Jackson ran for 1,090 yards and 6 TDs this season on 6.1 ypc. https://t.co/agoi01sjx2 pic.twitter.com/8FRkDd6lNj
Jackson emerged as the biggest breakout freshman star on Ohio State's roster in 2025, rushing 179 times for 1,090 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and six touchdowns after overtaking CJ Donaldson and James Peoples for the Buckeyes' featured role. With Donaldson out of eligibility and Peoples off to Penn State, Jackson figures to be the lead back again in 2026, with fellow second-year backs Isaiah West and Anthony "Turbo" Rogers set to back him up, assuming they also return.
A four-star prospect in the recruiting class of 2025, Jackson was the No. 161 overall prospect and No. 10 running back in the 247Sports composite rankings. He didn't see the field in Ohio State's first game of the season against Texas, but quickly made waves in games two and three with back-to-back 100-yard performances. Soon thereafter, he was getting a plurality of carries out of the Buckeyes' backfield.
Jackson's best game came in the Buckeyes' biggest victory of the season, a 27-9 rivalry reckoning at Michigan. He carried the ball 22 times for 117 yards, adding four receptions for 49 yards in the passing game.
No way Michigan fans are talking badly about Bo Jackson https://t.co/N3qsXF7cb1 pic.twitter.com/iZk0LU80jj
— THE Bunch of Nuts Podcast (@bunch_nuts) January 8, 2026
As redshirt sophomore Sam Dixon also entered the portal on Jan. 1, Ohio State may look for a veteran running back to complement Jackson, West and Rogers. The Buckeyes are hosting Michigan State's Makhi Frazier for a visit today. But a featured back is now one less need for OSU to address as portal mayhem continues.
