Ohio State locks up Bo Jackson saving SEC from massive bewilderment

Another Bo Jackson emerged on the scene in the 2025 recruiting cycle, but the new one likely wasn’t to follow the original’s path. After Pat Dye convinced the 1980s mega-star to turn down Alabama to go to school on the Plains, there was a chance the Tigers could have seen the familiar name on the wrong sideline.

The newest Bo Jackson entered the summer with a top three that included Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State. There would’ve been many confused people in SEC land if Jackson was running the football in Bryant-Denny Stadium or if college kids were wearing a Bo Jackson Georgia jersey on Clayton Street in Athens. A potential disaster for many was avoided on Tuesday when the top-100 recruit committed to Ohio State following his official visit with the Buckeyes.

The Cleveland (Ohio) Villa Angela-St. Joseph prospect rushed for over 1,600 yards last season and is the No. 5 prospect in Ohio during the 2025 cycle. To no one’s surprise, Ohio State convinced one of the top players in the Buckeye State to stay home. Ryan Day‘s program now has commitments from three of the top-five players in the state and leads for Trey McNutt and Justin Hill. Recruiting dominos are beginning to fall in Ohio.

Kentucky was in contention for Bo Jackson and was scheduled to host the prospect on Junior Day in January. However, Jackson called an audible and visited Georgia instead. Kentucky went all-in on Marquise Davis and beat out Michigan for the top-200 tailback in May. The Wildcats currently own four commitments from Ohio prospects in 2025 with Davis being joined by Cincinnati Withrow wideout Quintin Simmons, Gahanna Lincoln quarterback Brennen Ward, and Cincinnati St. Xavier offensive lineman Tucker Kattus. The Wildcats are hosting Ironton wide receiver and former Notre Dame commit Shaun Terry for a visit this week.

The Wildcats — and the SEC at large — were unable to land Bo Jackson this cycle. That likely saved the entire league from some mass confusion.