Quick Hits: Bo Jackson Calls Ohio State “Where I Want to Be,” Isaiah West Expects to Take “A Big Jump From Last Year” and Everyone Praises the “Explosive” Legend Bey

Bo Jackson and Isaiah West talked about how they’re working to improve entering their sophomore seasons despite being sidelined this spring after undergoing surgeries for torn labrums in their shoulders. Ja’Kobi Jackson talked about his decision to become a Buckeye, while Locklyn talked about the impact he’s expecting all of them to make this season as well as freshman Legend Bey, who continued to draw praise from everyone who was asked about him on Friday.

Discher, meanwhile, talked about new Ohio State kicker Connor Hawkins and what he’s trying to instill in the Buckeyes’ special teams in his first spring on the job.

We’ve compiled notes, quotes and videos from all five of Friday’s interviewees below.

Running Backs Coach Carlos Locklyn

“I think it was Aristotle that had this quote: Patience is bitter, but the fruit is sweet. I'm real patient with this group because I know at the end, it's going to be so sweet to see them coming together.”– Carlos Locklyn on the youth of his running back room

• On Legend Bey: “Legend is Legend. That means that this kid’s got a chance to be really good. But I said the same thing last year about two other kids. That was Bo Jackson and Isaiah West. This kid’s got a chance to be really good.”
• Locklyn is excited about the direction Ohio State’s offense is going in under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “Memphis is my second home. That grit, that grind, you can tell he’s a guy from Memphis. Because he has a physical mindset.”
• On Ja’Kobi Jackson: “When you watch Ja’Kobi’s film at Florida, you saw a guy who was elite in tight areas. Quick feet. May not look the part, but I'm telling you, he made guys miss, good hands, and he understands pass pro.”
• Locklyn is expecting “tremendous growth” from Bo Jackson and Isaiah West as sophomores, noting that Jackson played only four games and West played only five games in their high school senior seasons. “My expectation is for both of them to be elite this year,” Locklyn said.
• On working for five different offensive coordinators in five years: “It's exciting because I get to learn. I'm a sponge. I'm always trying to learn. All these guys are different in some aspect. If you ain't willing to grow and learn and you continue to stay the same in this business, boy, you'll be out of here. So I'm constantly trying to learn.”
• Locklyn said the Jacksons and Isaiah West will handle most of the short-yardage work for Ohio State in the running game. “I ain't going to put Legend in there,” Locklyn said, noting that the other three running backs are all over 215 pounds while Bey is only 177 pounds.
• Asked about Anthony “Turbo” Rogers, Locklyn said he thinks Ohio State has five running backs who are ready to play. He said Rogers is one of Ohio State’s fastest running backs and has gotten tougher mentally this offseason.
• Locklyn said Bo Jackson is Ohio State’s most complete running back right now, followed by Ja’Kobi Jackson. He said Bey is the most dynamic running back.
• Locklyn said he’ll be “stumping” for Ohio State to use two-running back sets this season.
• The Jacksons, West and Bey can all catch the ball well, Locklyn said. Rogers and Favour Akih need to improve in that area: “I love them, but when they catch sometimes, it's like they’re catching a refrigerator. We gotta work on them two.”

Special Teams Coordinator Robby Discher

“We're excited about Connor. Obviously, having game experience is critical, and he did that last year at a high level and played really well. But the moment's not too big for Connor. You can tell he's got a good demeanor about it."– Robby Discher on new Ohio State kicker Connor Hawkins

• On how spring practice has been going so far: “I think the guys do a really good job competing here. It's been fun to be a part of. We've done a lot of competitive drills and technique drills and stuff. And just all the guys on offense, defense, extremely bought in. So we're just trying to get better every day.”
• Discher has been working with punter Joe McGuire to add hangtime and distance to his kicks. “That's been a goal of ours, too, to add a couple yards on his distance, and (add) hang. Hang is going to be the most important part to cover on the punts, too.”
• On whether he feels he can replicate his success with Illinois’ special teams at Ohio State: “The goal is to always try to elevate any place you're at, and that's always a challenge. It's a competitive business, and it's a performance-based business. So it's like that with the players. It's like that with the coaches.”
• Discher said he doesn’t have a great feeling for who his returnmen will be at this time, but there’s a lot of potential choices on the table. “We'll see. The good thing about here is you've got a lot of good options. There's a lot of good players that have done it in games here. There's a lot of new guys.”

RB Bo Jackson

“It wasn’t really a hard decision. This is where I want to be. I am where I want to be.”– Bo Jackson on returning to Ohio State

• Jackson said he’s been locking in on mental reps this offseason as he recovers from an offseason surgery. Jackson is working to get bigger, better, faster and stronger in the weight room.
• Jackson said he tore his labrum during the 2025 regular season, though he can’t remember the specific play during which the injury occurred. Jackson said he should return to full strength in the summer.
• Jackson said he now weighs 220 pounds. “I feel great,” he said.  Jackson said he gained weight so he can break more tackles, bounce off defenders and keep his momentum as he runs downhill.
• Jackson said Ohio State’s running backs are working to be more explosive next season. He’s enjoyed learning from new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith so far and looks forward to playing in his “run-centered” scheme.

RB Isaiah West

“Once the fall comes around, I’m gonna be focused on just getting better every single day. I expect a big jump from last year.” – Isaiah West on bouncing back from his surgery this offseason

• West said he has put on 11 pounds of lean muscle mass since the end of last season. His body fat is now around 12%. “I’ve been working on my body a lot,” he said. Later, West said, “Coach Mick is the best in the business. He’s definitely got me stronger.”
• West said he had surgery for a labrum injury this offseason. When asked if he played through the injury during the 2025 regular season, West shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
• West said he has “no problem” stepping into a leadership role as a sophomore. He looks forward to seeing the room and those leadership dynamics take shape between now and September.
• On Legend Bey: “Extremely talented. I’m excited to see what he does this year… Make no mistake, he’s gonna be great.” He said Bey’s explosiveness has stood out to him this offseason. “Boy is fast. Boy can run.”
• West said he’s looking forward to seeing what Anthony “Turbo” Rogers can do in his second year with the Buckeyes. “He’s a really talented dude. I’m excited to see what he does.”

RB Ja'Kobi Jackson

“Anything that they really need me to do as far as pass pro, run the ball, or even catch the ball out of the backfield. So anywhere. I'm just ready for whenever my number is called to be ready.”– Ja'Kobi Jackson on his role at Ohio State

• On how he arrived at his decision to come to Ohio State: “My first day in the transfer portal, Coach Lock, he texted me, then called me and then we kind of just built that relationship. And that was my first visit, I got down here that Saturday night. I can't remember which exact date, but I got down here and kind of just walked around with him and had meetings with him. And I enjoyed his vibe and I enjoyed his mindset and the way that he planned on using me.”
• On the demeanor he brings to the running back room: “I'm kind of just about positive energy and kind of just an older leadership type of guy, just trying to do everything right and still show everyone the right way to do things.”
• “Discipline” and “structure” are the primary separators Jackson sees at Ohio State from other places he’s been. “They're really tied tight. Everything is structured. That's what I would say.”
• On Legend Bey: “I see he's very much explosive as a player. He's an exciting player. I feel like one-on-one versus anybody, he can make people miss, and he's an exciting player to watch.”