As of April 2026, the Buckeyes’ running back room is currently the team’s most injured position group. Four of the team’s primary ball carriers are sidelined as they approach the spring game on 18 April 2026. Ryan Day has already begun preparing for the future of this unit’s depth.

OSU is currently targeting the No. 2 RB David Gabriel Georges, and experts from On3 consider the Buckeyes the frontrunners to land him, even as Tennessee provides stiff competition. But for Day, this recruitment is important, as the 5-star RB will take the pressure of production off whichever QB replaces Sayin next year. In addition, OSU’s new OC Arthur Smith brings a running-style offense. So, getting a 5-star RB like Georges will simply mean they can lean heavily on him.

The current RB room is an injured one. Sophomore, Bo Jackson, is out for the spring while recovering from shoulder surgery (torn labrum) to repair an injury sustained during his 1,090-yard breakout freshman season last year. Isaiah West is also sidelined for the spring following offseason shoulder surgery.

Then comes the freshman phenomenon, Legend Bey. The highly touted four-star commit has been dealing with a persistent hamstring injury for several weeks. Coach Ryan Day has indicated he is unlikely to play in the upcoming spring game. Even Anthony “Turbo” Rogers, a redshirt freshman, is expected to miss the spring game due to an undisclosed injury. Rogers notably missed the entire 2025 season due to separate injury issues.

With four key runners out, the Bucks are thin at this position for their intrasquad scrimmage. The only scholarship running backs expected to be available for the spring game are Ja’Kobi Jackson (a transfer from Florida) and freshman Favour Akih. This is where getting a highly rated athlete like Georges becomes a necessity.

Georges is widely considered a generational talent with the potential to be a “Hall of Fame” level player at the collegiate level. Last season, he amassed 1,756 rushing yards and 27 TDs. And programs like Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Auburn, Ole Miss, and Miami made his top eight schools. Yet, OSU has a solid chance to get Georges because he is expected to visit Columbus again in May or June for a crucial summer official visit.

To cap it off, Georges has highlighted OSU RB coach Carlos Locklyn’s teaching style and the program’s history of NFL running back development as major factors in his interest.

Now, whether OSU lands this RB or not is a waiting game, but the program could get more 5-star talent. The Buckeyes are in a good spot for WR Monshun Sales, the No. 9-ranked receiver. Ohio State is in the 2027 WR’s final four schools, competing against Indiana, Alabama, and Miami. Then, the No. 1 2027 IOL, Maxwell Hiller, has locked in an official visit to Ohio State, though the Buckeyes are in a tight battle with Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee.

However, the No. 2 linebacker, Kaden Henderson, has visited Columbus multiple times and has the Buckeyes near the top of his list. OSU has surged into the top three for five-star DL Marcus Fakatou following what he had an “amazing” spring visit on March 10. The Buckeyes now sit on “equal footing” with previous leader Notre Dame for the No. 2 DL. Furthermore, Fakatou has already scheduled an OV for May 29.

Not only these 5-star talents, but also many 4-star and 3-star talents are on Ryan Day and Co.‘s radar.

OSU is pushing hard for recruiting momentum

The Ohio State Buckeyes football coaching staff has maintained contact with four-star quarterback Champ Monds, who has already made his way to the campus during the evaluation process for the team for the 2027 class. The Buckeyes have also shown a preference for players from within the state, as evidenced by their recent visitation of offensive lineman Davis Seaman, while continuing to monitor defensive back targets like Indiana commit Monsanna Torbert Jr. as part of their broader recruiting board.

The latest recruitment efforts of the team also include tight end Grant Haviland and pass rusher Mekai Brown. In addition to these four-star athletes, Ohio State is also keeping tabs on some other very good defenders and skill position players.