Floor vs. Ceiling: Can Bo Jackson put up prolific numbers in 2026?

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From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the best of times or the worst of times. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our Floor vs. Ceiling articles here.

Bo Jackson was a bright spot for the Buckeyes in 2025. In a season dominated by the Buckeyes’ defense, the emergence of Julian Sayin, and the continued dominance of Jeremiah Smith, Jackson rushed for 1,090 yards and six touchdowns on 179 carries.

Those 1,090 rushing yards accounted for over half of the Buckeyes’ team rushing yards in 2025. Ohio State rushed for 2,161 yards last year, an average of 154.4 yards per game, a number that only ranked in the middle of the pack in all of the FBS.

Still, Ohio State has a bright spot in Jackson going into 2026, and he has a lot of potential. It’s clear he’s the Buckeyes’ RB1. The fact that he rushed for over 1,000 yards as a freshman in 2025 suggests that it can be his floor.

It’s not just that, though. Consider that he still put up 1,000+ rushing yards without a great offensive line. Imagine what his numbers can be if the Buckeyes’ offensive line is better this season.

Then there’s the fact that Arthur Smith is the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator going into this season. Smith has spent time around two of the best running backs in the NFL, Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson, so he knows how to get a running game to the top of the league.

This Ohio State offense is going to have to find a way to run the ball while they work in their future WR2. That’s how this offense will still be prolific.

Bo Jackson’s floor is 1,100 rushing yards. That’s a good floor. But will that be enough to get Ohio State to a 10-2 record? 11-1? 12-0? 13-0? The Buckeyes, interestingly, haven’t had a running back go over 1,200 yards since TreVeyon Henderson in 2021.

Now, yes, college football has evolved to more spread offenses, but running the football has long been an identity of the Ohio State offense.

Jackson may not rush for 2,000 yards or even over 1,800 yards. Those numbers have been reached by J.K. Dobbins and Ezekiel Elliott. But what may be realistic is 1,500 yards. That’s a high ceiling.

Carlos Hyde had over 1,500 rushing yards in 2013. That’s where I think Jackson’s ceiling is. Maybe 1,600 yards. Anywhere in the mid-1000s for rushing yards, like anywhere between 1,300-1,600 yards for Jackson, and this Ohio State offense will be one of the most dynamic in the Big Ten and College Football.

Bo Jackson already has a high floor after just one season. If the Buckeyes’ offensive line stabilizes and Arthur Smith can unleash a running game that I’m hopeful he can, Jackson’s rushing numbers could be much higher this season.

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