With spring practices beginning, the young OSU running back room is going to get a chance to prove itself.
Returning contributors Bo Jackson and Isaiah West will sit out most of the spring with shoulder injuries. Both Jackson and West were suited up for the first spring practice on Tuesday, but didn’t participate in any contact drills. Once the pads go on for practice, they will have to sit out then as well.
With CJ Donaldson Jr. running out of eligibility and James Peoples and Sam Dixon transferring out of Ohio State after last season, every other scholarship running back on the roster is in their first spring with the program.
Head coach Ryan Day went through just about every position on the field in his meeting with the media on Tuesday, and he said that he has one area of concern more so than any of the other positions.
“I would say running back probably right now is my biggest concern,” he said.”
Ja’Kobi Jackson, who is in his seventh year of college football, has the most experience of the group. He spent two seasons with Florida, where he played in 17 games and ran for 607 yards on 122 carries, scoring seven touchdowns.
Anthony “Turbo” Rogers is in his second year with the program, but he didn’t join the Buckeyes until the summer and he spent much of his freshman year injured, so he will be trying to prove himself in the spring.
There are also two freshmen joining the backfield, with Favour Akih and Legend Bey both ready to try to establish themselves.
Bey’s speed has created excitement around his arrival on campus, and Day talked about the versatility he adds to the roster.
“I wasn’t here with Curtis Samuel, but he kind of reminds me of that style of player,” Day said. “When Xavier Johnson was here, he could play running back or wideout. We’re trying to get a feel for (Bey’s abilities) now because he played a lot of quarterback in high school, so we’re trying to see what’s the best fit for him when he gets moving.”
Even as a quarterback, Bey showed some great rushing ability, with more yards and scores on the ground than he had through the air in both his junior and senior prep seasons. He also showed off great speed as a runner, recording a 10.23-second 100-meter dash time for his track team and a 4.33-second 40-yard dash.
But each of the four healthy running backs — Jackson, Rogers, Akih and Bey — will be trying to separate themselves from the pack while Jackson and West recover this spring, each of them hoping to find their way into the rotation once fall comes around.
