Class of 2025 Big Board: First Look at the Running Backs

Welcome to the BuckeyeHuddle.com Ohio State Recruiting Big Boards. These lists are intended to serve as a guide for the top Ohio State recruiting targets in a given class and at a given position. These are fluid lists that could change multiple times throughout a recruiting cycle. These lists are compiled using three key components; 1. Ohio State’s interest in the player. 2. The Player’s Interest in Ohio State and 3. The Player’s Ability/Ranking.

Ohio State took a pair of running backs in the 2024 class, but the room will still need to be replenished as the Buckeyes will likely lose both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL after the 2024 season. There is no shortage of options for Tony Alford, however, as the Buckeyes find themselves on the short list for a handful of the nation’s top running back prospects in the 2025 class.

1. Bo Jackson – Cleveland (OH) Villa-Angela St. Joseph

It is a really strong year in Ohio for running backs with the Buckeyes having offered a pair of backs, including Jackson. Jackson is big, fast, strong, and explosive and has dominated his high school competition the last two years. Ohio State is the favorite here.

2. Jordon Davison – Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei

Davison has been a priority target in this class since day one. The Mater Dei curse has been a real thing for Ohio State over the years but Davison is a virtual certainty to leave the state and likely the West Coast altogether which gives more hope here for the Buckeyes. With Alabama going through a coaching transition, Ohio State and Texas are the two teams to watch here but this will continue to be a national battle.

3. Byron Louis – Plantation (FL) American Heritage

Much like with Davison, there is reason for caution here if you’re Ohio State. The Buckeyes have held commitments from a stud running back from South Florida in each of the last two recruiting classes in Mark Fletcher and Jordan Lyle, only to watch them to flip to Miami late in the process. And just like those two before him, Louis is looking like an Ohio State vs. Miami battle. The Buckeyes have reason for optimism here, however, as Louis has a very close relationship with Alford.

4. Marquise Davis – Cleveland Heights (OH)

Davis is another in-state prospect that the Buckeyes have offered and put a lot of time into recruiting with Alford and Ryan Day visiting the school again recently. With these top four backs, it could be a matter of who jumps in first and Davis seems to be giving other Big Ten programs like Michigan and Penn State a serious look.

5. Harry Dalton – Dinwiddie (VA) Dinwiddie County

Dalton plays quarterback for Dinwiddie County, but much like Cam Akers a few years ago, the offense is pretty much predicated on him working as a glorified Wildcat QB. Dalton runs with great power and balance and has racked up some big offers. Still, it would seem the above four are probably a tier above in the “most likely to be a Buckeye” category.

Early Outlook

The Buckeyes have some First World Problems here with a plethora of interested players and likely only two spots available. So threading the needle here in terms of when they take a commitment and how they manage all of this so that they get two they really want but don’t lose out on a potentially great player by waiting for another who ends up going elsewhere is going to be the biggest challenge.

It seems extremely likely that the Buckeyes will take at least one from Ohio, with Jackson being the most likely of the two as things stand today. But if you’re wondering if past misses in South Florida are going to deter the Buckeyes from going all-in on Louis, I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one. Ohio State is putting the full court press on both Louis and Davison.