What the history of 1,000-yard freshmen tells us about Ohio State's Bo Jackson heading into 2026

There have been 24 true freshman 1,000-yard rushing seasons since 2016. How many of those players improved as sophomores?

Ohio State running back Bo Jackson was the fifth true freshman in program history to rush for 1,000 yards. (Photo courtesy of OSU athletics)

COLUMBUS — It can be unfair to compare young athletes to the most successful ones who came before them. But Ohio State’s running back’s name is Lamar Bo Jackson, and his Instagram handle is @nolimitbo_.

So he’s probably used to it.

Jackson may not be a household name across college football just yet, but he’s on his way after a 1,000-yard rushing season in his freshman campaign. He’s certainly well-known among Ohio State fans. Only five true freshmen running backs in program history have ever eclipsed quadruple digits in rushing yards. That puts a player on the map here. Things start to come under heavier scrutiny, including, in Jackson’s case, some details about money negotiations with Ohio State this offseason that were ironed out, keeping the budding star in Columbus after some fears arose that he might transfer.

Act II for the aptly named young football player from Northeast Ohio will happen in scarlet and gray. How Jackson can build off a season in which he joined elite company within program lore, and put his stamp on the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry with more than 150 total yards, including a season-high 117 on the ground, will be the story of Jackson’s offseason. We're lucky to have plenty of context for how that sophomore season could go.

Jackson is one of 24 FBS true freshman running backs over the last 10 years to rush for at least 1,000 yards. There were actually three such players this year, with North Texas’ Caleb Hawkins and Duke’s Nate Sheppard joining Jackson. (So, if you care, this exercise could apply to Hawkins, now at Oklahoma State, and Sheppard, too). We’ve looked at the previous 21 instances prior to 2025 to see what happened for those players as sophomores and what, if anything, can be gleaned about how Jackson’s sophomore season might go.