Ryan Day’s Biggest Fear Just Became Ohio State’s Deadliest Weapon
Ohio State Running Backs: The Comeback Kids Ready to Explode in 2025
The Story So Far: Two Stars, Two Surgeries
Imagine you’re a college football player. You had a great first year, but then—ouch!—you need surgery. That’s exactly what happened to Ohio State’s two main running backs, Isaiah West and Bo Jackson.
Important Callout
- Isaiah West: 310 yards & 2 touchdowns as a freshman → Had shoulder surgery after the season.
- Bo Jackson: Team-leading 1,090 yards as a freshman → Also had shoulder surgery after the season.
- Both missed spring practice while rehabbing.
The Secret Weapon: "Train the Good Side"
When Isaiah West first arrived at Ohio State last year, he was still healing from a high school knee injury. Associate strength coach Kenny Parker gave him golden advice:
"You might be rehabbing one knee, but you have another one you can train. You have to over-train the other side."
West took this to heart twice:
- Freshman year: Rehabbed knee → trained the healthy leg like crazy.
- Sophomore offseason: Rehabbed shoulder → trained the healthy arm non-stop.
The Result? West added 12 pounds of muscle and now weighs 220 pounds—but feels faster and more explosive than ever.
Offseason Grind: What They Did While Injured
Since they couldn’t run routes or hit holes in spring practice, West and Jackson got creative:
Weight Room Warriors
- Lived in the weight room doing single-arm/single-leg workouts
- Focused on core strength and explosive power
- West: "We worked out together every day, pushing each other."
Mental Reps (The "Playbook Gym")
- Memorized new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith’s entire system
- Learned wide zone, inside zone, and gap assignments for every defensive front
- West: "We don’t have 1,000 plays. We have a few we’re really good at. Arthur Smith is big on being brilliant in the basics."
Meet the New Boss: Arthur Smith’s Offense
Arthur Smith (former NFL head coach) brought a pro-style system that fits this roster perfectly:
| Concept | What It Means (ELI5) | Why It Helps OSU RBs |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Zone | Run sideways first, let blocks develop, then cut upfield | Uses speed & vision—Jackson’s strengths |
| Tight End Heavy | 2-3 TEs on field, moving before snap | Creates confusion & extra blockers |
| Single-Back Sets | One RB, multiple TEs/WRs | Puts best playmakers in space |
| Brilliant Basics | Few plays, perfected execution | Less thinking, faster playing |
Jackson loves it: "He uses tight ends a lot, moving them around. It’s a great offense for us."
Training Camp: The Proof Is in the Pads
After two weeks of camp, coaches are seeing real results:
Bo Jackson’s Leap
- Day after Saturday scrimmage: "He’s done a much better job at the second level. Making guys miss—it’s showing up on film, and it did NOT show up last year."
- West’s take: "Y’all don’t even know how much better Bo got. Decisive, hitting it with speed, making people miss. We going to be good."
Isaiah West’s Durability
- West: "Running backs are always live [in practice]." (Translation: They’re taking real hits, not just tag drills.)
- Day: "He looks the best physically he’s looked… one of the best offseasons in the whole building."
The Freshman Weapon: Legend Bey
- Day: "If he continues to grow… takes care of the football, you can see what a weapon he can become."
- Adds depth—something OSU lacked last year.
The Numbers That Haunted Them (And Why They’ll Change)
Last year’s stats tell the story of what was missing:
| Stat | National Rank | The Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Runs ≥ 12 yards | 45th | Okay, but not great |
| Runs ≥ 20 yards | 92nd | Only 2.8% of runs—no home runs |
Why so few explosives?
- QB mobility – Defenses didn’t fear the QB run, so they stacked the box.
- O-line inconsistency – Holes weren’t always there.
- Freshman RBs – West & Jackson were learning on the fly.
This year? Healthier RBs + pro system + better blocking + mobile QB Julian Sayin = Explosive potential unlocked.
Coach Day’s Challenge: "We Can’t Afford a Sophomore Slump"
Ryan Day (8th year as HC) is blunt:
"We’ve had guys with good freshman years, then ‘OK’ sophomore years, then break out junior year. We can’t afford that. This has to be a HUGE year for those guys."
But he’s encouraged:
- "Excited about the room. Not where we need to be yet—two weeks left—but good to have an experienced group."
- Top-ranked Buckeyes (AP Preseason #1 for first time since 2015) need this run game to balance Heisman-contender QB Julian Sayin and All-American WR Jeremiah Smith.
The Final Test: September 12 vs. Texas
All the weight room reps, mental reps, and camp highlights lead to one date:
Sept. 12 vs. Texas – The measuring stick game.
If the run game shows up there—explosive plays, sustained drives, fourth-quarter dominance—the sky’s the limit for the #1 Buckeyes.
Quick Summary
- West & Jackson turned shoulder surgeries into strength gains via "train the good side" philosophy.
- Arthur Smith’s offense (wide zone, TE-heavy, simple/executable) fits their skills perfectly.
- Camp reports: Jackson more elusive, West stronger, freshman Bey flashing.
- Coach Day: Demands Year 2 leap, not Year 3 breakout.
- Goal: Fix 92nd-ranked explosive runs → become championship-level run game.
- Proof comes Sept. 12 vs. Texas.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Why did both starting RBs need shoulder surgery?
Football is violent. RBs take hits every play—tacklers target the ball (arms) and drive shoulders into defenders. Over a full season, that wears down the labrum (shoulder cartilage). Both had clean-up surgeries after the season ended.
2. What is "Wide Zone" and why does it matter?
Think of it like a stretch play. The RB runs parallel to the line of scrimmage first, reading blocks as they develop. Then he cuts upfield into a crease. It rewards patience, vision, and speed—exactly what Jackson and West have.
3. How does a new offensive coordinator change things mid-injury?
They couldn’t practice the plays, but they studied them like textbooks. Smith’s system is concept-based (few plays, many formations), so mental mastery = faster physical execution once cleared.
4. Is Legend Bey ready to play real snaps as a true freshman?
Day’s comment—"if he continues to grow… takes care of the football"—is coach-speak for: Talent? Yes. Trust? Earn it. Ball security (no fumbles) is the #1 ticket to the field for young RBs.
5. Why is the run game so critical if OSU has a Heisman QB and All-American WR?
Balance. If defenses must respect the run, they can’t double-team Jeremiah Smith or pin their ears back to sack Julian Sayin. A dominant run game opens everything else up—play-action, deep shots, QB keepers. It’s the engine that makes the Ferrari go.
Go Bucks. The grind was dark. The light is coming.