Ohio State RB Room Chaos: Ryan Day Drops Cryptic Clues That Could Reshape the Season

Ohio State’s 2025 squad? Man, they’ve been tearing up the field like there’s no tomorrow. Dominant defense, flashy offense, and yet… the running back rotation? Kinda like a buffet with too many choices—no one’s quite settled on a favorite just yet. Coach Ryan Day’s been pretty clear: no strict pecking order in that crowded backfield, and reps are doled out like a mystery box each week. With four different backs each hitting triple digits already, it’s less of a “who’s the starter?” saga and more of a “how do we make everybody shine?” puzzle. Makes you wonder—can a team truly be the best when its running game is sharing the spotlight like a Broadway ensemble? After the bye week, things might just clear up or get even messier. Either way, it’s a story worth watching. LEARN MORE

The 2025 Ohio State football team has played like the best team in the country up to this point in the year. They have been dominant on defense and have playmakers all over the place on offense. Despite their dominance so far this year, they have not been able to find a steady rotation in the running back room, but after last week, they may have finally found their answer.

Ohio State football coach Ryan Day addressed the running back situation and the Buckeyes’ crowded backfield. He clarified that there doesn’t necessarily have to be a hierarchy in the running back room and that each player’s reps will be evaluated weekly. He also said that they all need to be better in certain areas.

“Most of the guys are so young that I still don’t think we’re there yet,” Day said. “I still believe that they’re learning more and more each game they play. They’re watching themselves in film, and they’re growing. And so they’ve still gotta continue to get better. There’s just a lot to be learned about all of them. And when you watch them play in the games, you get more and more feedback. And that’s it.”

Ryan Day continued, “It’s their job to take the coaches’ feedback and improve. But as I’ve said before, we will need them all. I think they all bring different things to the table. But I don’t believe we are in a position where, like you said, we will create a hierarchy right now. They must all learn how to play in different areas and improve.”

After Day said that they continue to evaluate where the running backs are week-to-week, it’s worth noting that four different running backs for the Buckeyes have gotten significant carries. All four have run for over 100 yards so far this season.

Freshman Bo Jackson is the rushing leader for the Buckeyes with 433 yards and two touchdowns on 68 carries. However, Isaiah West has recently come on strong in the backfield as another freshman, having 104 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries.

This felt like his job after CJ Donaldson transferred from West Virginia last winter, but it has been much more committee-driven than expected.

It will be interesting to see how the running game develops after the Buckeyes return from their bye week and whether anyone emerges at the top of the running back hierarchy.

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