Short-yardage / goal-line · enumeration
Who gets the tough yard
5/19Inside-5 share
5 of the team's 19 inside-the-5 carries (26.3%).
Ja'Kobi Jackson
Rushing yards354144th of 278 running backsLast gameL 18–30at USC · Oct 31
Nextvs OregonSat Nov 7 · 3:30 pm ET
- touchdown
Indiana · W 19-15
No carries.
USC · L 18-30
No carries.
Jackson has carries in 6 of Ohio State’s 8 games: none against Indiana and USC.
Dashed line: 100 yards.
This week
- RecordOhio State is 6-2, No. 11 in the AP poll (week 10).
- Next gamevs Oregon · Sat Nov 7
What’s being said
17 stories in the last 30 days, from 9 outlets.
Ja’Kobi Jackson reportedly undergoes surgery
Land-Grant Holy Land Oct 22
His most important play this season
19% of the carries, 28% of the yards, 46% of the touchdowns
- Carries19%59 of 306
- Yards28%354 of 1,283
- Touchdowns46%6 of 13
- Yards a carry: 6.0. Everyone else on the team: 3.8.
- A touchdown every 9.8 carries. Everyone else on the team: one every 35.3.
At least 32% of the team's rushing yards in every game
No bar in a game where the team had under 100 rushing yards: a share of that little says nothing.
Who carried it
- Bo Jackson637 yards, 128 carries, 4 touchdowns
- Ja'Kobi Jackson354 yards, 59 carries, 6 touchdowns
- Isaiah West190 yards, 41 carries, 1 touchdown
- Legend Bey62 yards, 17 carries
- Luke Fahey13 yards, 10 carries
- 4 others36 yards
Share of the team's total this season.
Most of his carries go up the middle
102030405049
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each line is one carry: taller means more yards, and a line pointing down lost yards. Black lines are touchdowns. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside each lane the carries are lined up shortest to longest, not placed. Of his carries with a spot in the play text: left 12, middle 34, right 13. His longest went for 49 yards.
Ja'Kobi Jackson
Hits the crease and outruns the angle. Played for two head coaches across three seasons and two programs. A game that shows it: 83 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD against Ball State — Week 1, 2026.
354 rushing yards · 6 rushing TD · 59 carries
Style of play
Style of play
Play style
Cuts upfield fast. Designed to find the crease, not run through the line.
Similar players
Closest statistical matches, adjusted for opponent strength.
In the news in the last 30 days
from 9 outlets
Ja’Kobi Jackson reportedly undergoes surgery
Land-Grant Holy Land Oct 22 · 1 outlet
What they’re talking about
Preview and matchup2 stories
In the news this season
from 14 outlets
Ohio State’s Ja’Kobi Jackson emerges as surprise option in backfield
AP News +2 Sep 22 · 3 outlets
What they’re talking about
Profile and feature4 stories
- AP News +2Ohio State’s Ja’Kobi Jackson emerges as surprise option in backfieldSep 22
Eleven WarriorsJa'Kobi Jackson's Long-Winding College Journey Took Him To Ohio State, Ready To Lead And Compete In Crowded BackfieldAug 22- Eleven WarriorsJulian Sayin, TJ Alford and Ja’Kobi Jackson Lead Pro Football Focus’ Highest-Graded Ohio State Players Against Ball StateSep 8
- Eleven WarriorsJa’Kobi Jackson, John Walker and Jason Moore Are Pro Football Focus’ Highest-Graded Ohio State Players Against MarylandOct 12
Preview and matchup2 stories
Performance and stat line2 stories
Week by week
- Oct 29 to Nov 4L 18-30 at USCNo stories
- Oct 22 to Oct 28No game2 storiesWho will be Ohio State’s RB2 while Ja’Kobi Jackson is out? - Land-Grant Holy Land Land-Grant Holy Land
- Oct 15 to Oct 21W 19-15 at Indiana6 storiesOhio State football reportedly without Ja'Kobi Jackson 'a few weeks'
Yahoo Sports - Oct 8 to Oct 14W 45-16 vs Maryland7 storiesOhio State will be without RB Ja'Kobi Jackson at Indiana
On3 - Oct 1 to Oct 7W 31-14 at Iowa3 storiesJa’Kobi Jackson's Increased Role Bringing Versatility to Ohio State Rushing Attack
Sports Illustrated - Sep 24 to Sep 30W 42-19 vs IllinoisNo stories
- Sep 17 to Sep 23W 59-3 vs Kent State3 storiesOhio State’s Ja’Kobi Jackson emerges as surprise option in backfield AP News +2
- Sep 10 to Sep 16L 23-24 at TexasNo stories
- Sep 3 to Sep 9W 56-3 vs Ball State2 storiesJulian Sayin, TJ Alford and Ja’Kobi Jackson Lead Pro Football Focus’ Highest-Graded Ohio State Players Against Ball State Eleven Warriors
- Aug 20 to Aug 26No game1 storyJa'Kobi Jackson's Long-Winding College Journey Took Him To Ohio State, Ready To Lead And Compete In Crowded Backfield Eleven Warriors
- Aug 13 to Aug 19No game1 storyBuying or Selling the Early Hype Around Ohio State RB Ja’Kobi Jackson Sports Illustrated
- Aug 6 to Aug 12No game1 storyOhio State Practice Observations: Austin Siereveld Starts Camp at Right Guard, Isaiah West and Ja’Kobi Jackson Make Move at Running Back and Chris Henry Jr., Devin McCuin Stand Out at Wide Receiver Eleven Warriors
Each week: his team’s game, the stories about him that week, and the week’s biggest news headline.
What was said at each stop
Stories we tracked, by school.
Ohio State26 stories2026 to now
Most about: profile and feature, preview and matchup, performance and stat line.
- AP News +2Ohio State’s Ja’Kobi Jackson emerges as surprise option in backfieldSep 22
- Eleven WarriorsOhio State Practice Observations: Austin Siereveld Starts Camp at Right Guard, Isaiah West and Ja’Kobi Jackson Make Move at Running Back and Chris Henry Jr., Devin McCuin Stand Out at Wide ReceiverAug 6
- Sports IllustratedBuying or Selling the Early Hype Around Ohio State RB Ja’Kobi JacksonAug 15
- Eleven WarriorsJa'Kobi Jackson's Long-Winding College Journey Took Him To Ohio State, Ready To Lead And Compete In Crowded BackfieldAug 22
FOX SportsJa'Kobi Jackson rushes for 49-yard TD to extend Ohio State's lead over Ball StateSep 5
Florida2 stories2023 to 2025
Most about: win.
In the news across his career
Stories are headlines grouped by what they are about, counted through Nov 4.
What fans said
vs Maryland, Oct 10Ja'KoBi Jackson is a better Jackson than BoOhio State fan, r/CFB game thread
In the game threads
at Iowa, Oct 3Ja'Kobi Jackson has misidentified at least 3 blitzers in this gameOhio State fan, r/CFB game threadWhere to follow
Career stats
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Season | Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ohio State | 59 | 354 | 6.0 | 6 | 49 |
| 2025 | Florida | 27 | 98 | 3.6 | 0 | 27 |
| 2024 | Florida | 93 | 500 | 5.4 | 7 | 20 |
| Career | 179 | 952 | 5.3 | 13 | 49 |
| Season | Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ohio State | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | Florida | 4 | 27 | 6.8 | 0 | 26 |
| 2024 | Florida | 7 | 76 | 10.9 | 0 | 21 |
| Career | 13 | 111 | 8.5 | 0 | 26 |
Game log
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 6 games
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Wk | Opp | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 56-3vs Ball State | 8 | 83 | 10.4 | 1 | 49 | Season-high 83 yds |
| Wk 2 | L 23-24@ No. 4 Texas | 5 | 20 | 4.0 | 1 | 8 | |
| Wk 3 | W 59-3vs Kent State | 8 | 47 | 5.9 | 2 | 14 | |
| Wk 4 | W 42-19vs Illinois | 10 | 56 | 5.6 | 1 | 15 | |
| Wk 5 | W 31-14@ No. 14 Iowa | 14 | 72 | 5.1 | 1 | 12 | |
| Wk 6 | W 45-16vs Maryland | 14 | 76 | 5.4 | 0 | 15 | |
| Total | 59 | 354 | 6.0 | 6 | 49 |
The season, game by game
W 45-16 vs MarylandOct. 1076 yds14 carries
14 carries for 76 yards.
- 2 went 10+ yards
- 1 stopped at or behind the line
- 3 moved the chains
- 2 catches for 8 yds
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 10, 1 rec
- Second quarterbegan up 14-3
- 5 for 32
- Third quarterbegan up 31-10
- 1 for 7
- Fourth quarterbegan up 38-16
- 5 for 27, 1 rec1
- FinalW 45-16
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
15-yard run. Fourth quarter, up 38-16.
1020304050
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 31-14 at IowaOct. 372 yds14 carries, 1 TD
14 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown.
- 1 went 10+ yards
- 2 stopped at or behind the line
- 5 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 19
- Second quarterbegan up 10-6
- 3 for 181
- Third quarterbegan up 17-6
- 3 for 14
- Fourth quarterbegan up 24-6
- 5 for 21, 1 TD
- FinalW 31-14
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
12-yard run. Second quarter, up 10-6.
1020304050
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
4 more games, with the play by play
W 42-19 vs IllinoisSept. 2656 yds10 carries, 1 TD
10 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown.
- 2 went 10+ yards
- 0 stopped at or behind the line
- 4 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 91
- Second quarterbegan up 14-7
- 1 for 4
- Third quarterbegan up 28-10
- 1 for 15
- Fourth quarterbegan up 28-13
- 5 for 28, 1 TD2
- FinalW 42-19
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
5-yard run on 3rd and 1. First quarter, tied 0-0. Converted.
- 2
15-yard run on 3rd and 4. Fourth quarter, up 35-19. Converted.
1020304050
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 59-3 vs Kent StateSept. 1947 yds8 carries, 2 TD
8 carries for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- 2 went 10+ yards
- 0 stopped at or behind the line
- 3 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 1 for 11, 1 TD
- Second quarterbegan up 21-0
- 1 for 5
- Third quarterbegan up 35-0
- 6 for 31, 1 TD12
- FinalW 59-3
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
14-yard run. Third quarter, up 35-0.
- 2
1-yard touchdown run on 4th and 1. Third quarter, made it 42-0.
1020304050
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
L 23-24 at TexasSept. 1220 yds5 carries, 1 TD
5 carries for 20 yards and a touchdown.
- 0 went 10+ yards
- 0 stopped at or behind the line
- 1 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 1 for 8, 1 TD1
- Second quarterbegan up 10-0
- 2 for 42
- Third quarterbegan up 20-3
- 1 for 1
- Fourth quarterbegan up 23-3
- 1 for 7
- FinalL 23-24
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
8-yard touchdown run on 3rd and 4. First quarter, made it 10-0.
- 2
1-yard run on 4th and 2. Second quarter, up 10-0. Turnover on downs.
1020304050
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
W 56-3 vs Ball StateSept. 583 yds8 carries, 1 TD
8 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown, his most this season.
- 1 went 10+ yards
- 0 stopped at or behind the line
- 3 moved the chains
- First quarterbegan tied 0-0
- 3 for 15
- Second quarterbegan up 14-0
- 2 for 6
- Third quarterbegan up 28-3
- 3 for 62, 1 TD1
- FinalW 56-3
a carry, by its yardsa loss, below the linea catcha touchdown
- 1
49-yard touchdown run. Third quarter, made it 42-3.
102030405049
leftmiddleright
a carry, up for a gain and down for a lossa touchdown
Each carry is a stem from the line, in the lane the play text names, sorted shortest to longest. The play text only says left, middle or right, so inside a lane marks are sorted, not placed.
Signature game
Week 5 · 2026
W 31-14
at Iowa
Signature plays
The plays that mattered most
- Week 2 · Texas · 4th and 2 · Q2 · EPA −4.14J.Jackson rush middle for 1 yard gain (J.McDonald; H.Kanu), TURNOVER ON DOWNS
- Week 1 · Ball State · 1st and 10 · Q3 · EPA +3.76J.Jackson rush right for 49 yards gain to the BallSt00 TOUCHDOWN
- Week 3 · Kent State · 4th and 1 · Q3 · EPA +2.79J.Jackson rush middle for 1 yard gain to the KentSt00 TOUCHDOWN
- Week 2 · Texas · 3rd and 4 · Q1 · EPA +2.75J.Jackson rush middle for 8 yards gain for a touchdown
- Week 5 · Iowa · 2nd and 7 · Q4 · EPA +2.61J.Jackson rush right for 7 yards gain for a touchdown
- Week 3 · Kent State · 2nd and 4 · Q1 · EPA +2.40J.Jackson rush middle for 11 yards gain to the KentSt00 TOUCHDOWN
4 more plays
- Week 5 · Iowa · 2nd and 10 · Q2 · EPA +2.20J.Jackson rush middle for 12 yards gain (Z.Lutmer; C.Buffington)
- Week 4 · Illinois · 3rd and 4 · Q4 · EPA +1.72J.Jackson rush middle for 15 yards gain to the Illini02 (M.Bailey; D.John)
- Week 6 · Maryland · 3rd and 1 · Q4 · EPA +1.44J.Jackson rush middle for 7 yards gain to the Maryla45 (B.Jenkins; D.Joyner)
- Week 5 · Iowa · 3rd and 3 · Q3 · EPA +1.42J.Jackson rush middle for 5 yards gain (C.Buffington; J.Montgomery)
Where he ranks
Rush yards354tied for 144thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Yards / carry6.0tied for 53rdAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Rush TDs6tied for 40thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Long run49tied for 104thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Carries59tied for 196thAmong 278 backs with 40 or more carries
Rec yards8tied for 263rdAmong 273 backs with 40 or more carries
Receptions2tied for 253rdAmong 273 backs with 40 or more carries
171st in rushing yards, among all 1,551 FBS players with a rushing row this season, any position
Rushing touchdowns6tied for 5th in the Big Ten this season.
Conference ranks count every player in the conference with a row in that stat, any position. Career ranks count current FBS players, from the games in our log.
Opponents faced, by strength
Ratings of the games shown run from -21 to +20 points against an average team (SP+ rating of each opponent).
Rushing profile
Rush profile · Shape, efficiency, and ball security
How he gets his yards, and how often it works
59 of 59 carries matched to play-by-play
Success rate
52%59 carriesStuffed
0 or fewer yds5%of carries
3 carries
Grind
1–3 yds36%of carries
21 carries
Chunk
4–9 yds46%of carries
27 carries
Explosive
10+ yds14%of carries
8 carries
3 of 5 (60%) converted on 3rd/4th & short (≤2 to go) · 2 of 5 (40%) scored from inside the 5-yard line
6.0 yds/carry on 59 carries · 14% explosive (10+ yds) · 52% success rate.
Teams and coaches
2024Florida8-5HC: Billy Napier · Run-leaning, slow tempo
2025Florida4-8HC: Billy Napier and Billy Gonzales · Balanced
2026Ohio State6-2HC: Ryan Day · Run-leaning
Our ratings
Splits
Home and road splits, scheme and staff
Splits · Per-game
2026 season · 6 games
Home vs Road
| YDS/g | YPC | TD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home4g | 65.5 | 6.8 | 1.0 |
| Road2g | 46.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 |
First half vs Second half
| YDS/g | YPC | TD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-76g | 59.0 | 6.1 | 1.0 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Ryan Day
Pass share
45.0%
250 pass / 306 run
Plays / game
69.5
8 games
Team sack rate
5.8%
275 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
59 carries and 2 catches in 6 games
About as many touches a game as a typical FBS running back who plays every week.
Recognition
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Production · CFB Zeitgeist Score
54 · #100 of 330 RBs · through 6 games
Four seasons, two schools
2026 is in progress.
- 2026 Ohio State DayYear 4 · 6 games
- Jan 2026 Entered the transfer portalFlorida to Ohio State
- 2025 Florida NapierYear 3 · 4 games
- 2024 Florida NapierYear 2 · 12 games
- 2023 Florida NapierYear 1 · on the roster, no stat line
Moves
- Transferred from Florida to Ohio State, Jan 15, 2026.
A stat line in 22 games over three seasons.
2026 6 games
- Transferred to Ohio Statefrom Florida
Coaching lineage · 2023–2026
3 coaches2023–2024
Florida
Played for 3 head coaches at 2 schools: Billy Napier, Billy Gonzales and Ryan Day.
Next stop · Transfer
Transferred to Ohio State
2023–25Florida
2026Ohio State