Progrums

Isaiah West Sets Buckeye Backfield Ablaze

As Ohio State’s fall camp kicks off with a maximum 29-practice window before Week 1, sophomore running back Isaiah West is already turning heads. After a limited role in a pass-focused offense last year, West has impressed offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and head coach Ryan Day in early drills. Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 222 pounds, the Philadelphia product showcased explosiveness that could challenge fellow underclassman Bo Jackson for carries. West’s limited 2025 tape included a 61-yard, two-touchdown outing against UCLA and flashes in ten total games, though he was held in check during the Big Ten title loss to Indiana. Coaches rave about his offseason work, recovery from a high-school injury and newfound physical dominance. As the Buckeyes fine-tune their depth chart, West looks poised to carve out a major role in Columbus.

Don’t look now, but Isaiah West has taken one look at Ohio State’s overcrowded backfield and thought, “Hold my Gatorade.” In true cinematic fashion, the sophomore tailback burst onto the scene this week like a discount superhero—complete with cleats, shoulder pads, and an unlit cape that coaches swear they saw fluttering in the wind tunnel. Rumor has it Bo Jackson is currently refreshing his LinkedIn profile, just in case there’s a more dignified way to announce retirement than collapsing under the weight of West’s preseason hype. Arthur Smith has already penciled West in as the next great Buckeye, giving Ryan Day little choice but to pretend he’s not already drafting a statue dedication speech. Will Isaiah truly revolutionize the backfield? Or is he just auditioning for the next Marvel movie? Only time—and a few hundred carries—will tell.