Ryan Day’s Biggest Fear Is Now Ohio State’s Secret Weapon
Ohio State Running Backs: Turning Injuries Into Strength for a Championship Run
The Big Picture
Imagine you’re a star player on the #1 ranked college football team in the country. But there’s a problem — your running backs (the players who carry the ball) have been hurt, young, and haven’t made many big, exciting plays. That’s exactly where Ohio State found themselves this year.
But after a summer of hard work, smart coaching, and a "train what you can move" attitude, things are looking up for the Buckeyes.
The "Train the Good Side" Philosophy
Important Point
When you’re injured, don’t just sit around. Train the healthy parts of your body to stay strong and ready.
Isaiah West’s Journey
Isaiah West arrived at Ohio State last year with a bad knee from high school. He couldn’t play right away. But 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 other leg like crazy
- Sophomore year: Had shoulder surgery → trained the good arm non-stop in the weight room
The result? He added 12 pounds of muscle, now weighs 220 pounds, and says he feels faster and more explosive than ever.
Coach Ryan Day called it "one of the best offseasons in the whole building."
Why Everyone Was Worried About Running Backs
Despite being preseason #1 (first time since 2015), Coach Day said the running back group was his biggest concern at Big Ten Media Days.
The Numbers Don’t Lie (Last Year)
| Stat | National Rank | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Runs of 12+ yards | 45th | Decent — but the backs were freshmen |
| Runs of 20+ yards | 92nd | Only 2.8% — very few explosive plays |
Why the Explosive Plays Were Missing
- Quarterback with limited mobility (defenses don’t fear him running)
- Inconsistent offensive line play
- Young, inexperienced running backs
But West and Bo Jackson (who ran for 1,090 yards as a freshman!) took this personally.
New Coach, New Scheme: Arthur Smith’s "Brilliant Basics"
Ohio State hired Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator. His philosophy?
Important Point
"We don’t have 1,000 different plays. We have a few that we’re really good at, and Arthur Smith is really big on being brilliant in the basics." — Isaiah West
What Smith Brings
- Structured plan — not chaotic
- Wide zone runs — lets backs get to the edge and use speed
- Uses tight ends heavily — moves them around to confuse defenses
- Single-back formations — creates more space for runners
This plays perfectly to Ohio State’s strength: versatile tight ends who can block AND catch.
The Work Happened When No One Was Watching
West and Jackson both had shoulder surgery. They couldn’t practice on the field together. So what did they do?
Their Offseason Routine
- Rehabbed together in the training room
- Lifted together in the weight room
- Studied the playbook — memorized where gaps would be against different defenses
- Visualized the wide zone, inside zone, and gap schemes
They couldn’t practice the runs, but they mastered the mental side.
Camp Reports: The Proof Is in the Pads
After two weeks of fall camp, the reviews are glowing.
Bo Jackson’s Transformation
"He’s done a much better job at the second level… You either run over or run around them, making them miss, and you’re seeing that. It’s showing up on film, and it did not show up on film last year." — Coach Ryan Day
Isaiah West’s Take
"Running backs are always live."
Translation: They’re hitting full contact in practice. No more "touch football" for the RBs.
West on Jackson
"Y’all don’t even know how much better Bo Jackson has got. You can see he’s decisive, hitting it with speed, making people miss. We going to be good."
The Freshman: Legend Bey
Coach Day is excited but cautious:
"If he continues to grow… takes care of the football, you can see what a weapon he can become for us."
The Depth Chart Looks Strong
| Player | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bo Jackson | Sophomore | 1,090 yards last year; huge jump in camp |
| Isaiah West | Sophomore | 310 yards, 2 TDs; added 12 lbs muscle |
| Ja’Kobi Jackson | Transfer (Florida) | Experienced newcomer |
| Legend Bey | Freshman | High upside; "weapon" potential |
Coach Day’s verdict: "I’m excited about the room. Not where we need to be — we still have a couple weeks — but it’s good to have a group that has experience."
The Ultimate Test: September 12 vs. Texas
All this progress means nothing if it doesn’t show up when the lights are on.
Important Point
The real test comes Sept. 12 against Texas. If the running game explodes, the sky’s the limit for the #1 Buckeyes.
Summary
- Isaiah West turned two major injuries (knee, shoulder) into motivation using the "train the good side" method
- He gained 12 lbs of muscle and feels faster at 220 lbs
- Bo Jackson (1,090 yards as freshman) has made a visible leap in decisiveness and elusiveness
- New OC Arthur Smith installed a simple, zone-heavy scheme that fits the personnel
- Full-contact practices ("RBs are always live") are revealing real improvement
- Depth is better with transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson and freshman Legend Bey
- Biggest question: Can they create explosive plays (20+ yards) against elite defenses?
- Answer coming: Sept. 12 vs. Texas
FAQ
Why was Ohio State ranked #1 if their running backs were a concern?
Because they have elite talent elsewhere — especially Heisman finalist QB Julian Sayin and All-American WR Jeremiah Smith. The ranking reflects overall roster strength, not perfection at every position.
What does "wide zone" mean in simple terms?
It’s a run play where the offensive line blocks sideways (laterally), and the running back reads the defense to find a crease — either bouncing outside or cutting back inside. It’s about speed and angles, not just power.
How can you "over-train" one side of your body without getting imbalanced?
You do it temporarily during rehab. Once the injured side heals, you bring it back up to match. West did this twice — first with his knee, then his shoulder — and now he’s balanced and stronger overall.
Who is Legend Bey and why does he matter?
A true freshman with high potential. If he learns to protect the ball ("takes care of the football"), Coach Day says he could become a major weapon — giving Ohio State a rare 3-4 back rotation.
What does "second level" mean for a running back?
The first level = defensive line. The second level = linebackers and safeties. Making people miss at the second level means turning 5-yard gains into 20+ yard touchdowns. That’s what was missing last year — and what Jackson is now showing.
Go Bucks!