During the back end of the 2024 season, Ja’Kobi Jackson emerged as an effective running back for the Gators. His rushing touchdown against Georgia tied the game at 20 to give Florida a chance to pull off a miracle upset, and he went on to finish the year with 509 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. He started 2025 as a rotational back and had 98 yards off 27 carries, but he got hurt against Miami and didn’t play for the rest of the season.
Jackson transferred to Ohio State in the offseason and is now finding himself in the middle of a potential running back controversy for the Buckeyes.
Former Gator Ja’Kobi Jackson in line for big snaps at Ohio State
Our Fansided sister site Scarlet & Game picked up a report from Adam King of 10TV in Columbus that noted Ja’Kobi Jackson was getting first-team snaps ahead of returning sophomore running back Bo Jackson, who is not related to the more famous Bo Jackson.
Legend Bey is at practice today. He is working with the first team behind Isaiah West and Ja’kobi Jackson
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) August 8, 2026
Bo Jackson is with the second team again today. pic.twitter.com/fd6ucaSiRt
Bo Jackson racked up over 1,000 yards rushing for Ohio State as a freshman on 6.1 yards per carry. He did have surgery in the offseason, but based on what everyone can tell, he seems to be healthy, and people aren’t really sure why he is currently getting second-team snaps.
For Ja’Kobi Jackson, this puts him in a spotlight of this size for the first time in his career. He was originally an unrated prospect out of Pensacola who went the JUCO route before arriving in Gainesville in 2023. He redshirted that 2023 season before getting his shot with Florida in 2024.
Ja’Kobi Jackson’s 2024 breakout
- 95 carries
- 509 rushing yards
- 5.4 yards per carry
- 7 rushing touchdowns
- 116 yards against Texas
- 15-yard TD against Georgia to tie the game 20-20 in the fourth quarter
Unlike several other mismanagements from Billy Napier, Ja’Kobi Jackson getting snaps at Ohio State wouldn’t be one of them. After all, that 2024 season featured the duo of Montrell Johnson and Jadan Baugh, so snaps were hard to come by. It’s more a reminder that the running back room under Napier was deep, and even after his departure, he left behind a deep room behind Baugh.
It is going to be interesting to follow Ja’Kobi Jackson’s journey at Ohio State, as most Buckeye fans probably didn’t expect much from him when he transferred in beyond being an extra body at camp.
But we would say that when he was healthy in 2024, he had some special moments and is a capable Power Four running back when given the chance.
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