Closer Look: Isaiah West Brings All-Around Skills To Running Back

The Buckeyes signed running back Isaiah West out of St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia where he was a three-star recruit. West committed to Kentucky in March of 2024. Two months later, however, he was offered by new Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn. He flipped his commitment to the Buckeyes one month later and signed in December.

West rushed for nearly 400 yards in a senior season that was cut short due to a knee injury. As a junior, he produced over 1,100 yards from scrimmage, proving himself productive both as a rusher and receiver. Due to his injury, West was ranked the No. 60 running back in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 731 player overall.

What To Like

Carlos Locklyn likes to tell his running backs that the days of just running the ball are long gone. In the modern era of college football, running backs also must be part of the passing game. Freshman running back Isaiah West fits that bill and in the clips below he shows just how comfortable he is at not only being an outlet, but also a first read.

West runs routes just as hard as he runs the ball — and he runs the ball pretty dang hard. As a runner, there isn’t much wasted time with West. He can get north and south quickly and he doesn’t spend too much time dancing. Rather, he gets upfield and starts looking for his next decision.

There is a lot of subtlety to West’s game. You may not see many JK Dobbins jump cuts, but West can get side to side without losing much speed. He is reminiscent of former Buckeye Mike Weber, who averaged 5.9 yards per carry in his Ohio State career. If West can match that, the Ohio State running game should keep chugging along just fine while he’s around.

Carlos Locklyn wants his running backs to do more than just run the ball. Ohio State freshman RB Isaiah West is comfortable being part of the passing game. pic.twitter.com/DA6M4ipysv
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) May 15, 2025

The Potential

Isaiah West has the ability to be shifty, but he spends most of his time getting upfield and getting the yards that are available to him. He keeps the offense ahead of the chains by attacking defenses and then often comes out the back end with room to run. West puts his foot in the ground when needed and gets north and south. He shows good vision at the line of scrimmage, as well as the second level when defenders could be coming from all sides.

Injuries have been an issue during his high school career, so that will be something to watch during his time at Ohio State. But when West is healthy, he is a three-down player who can be relied upon to move the chains — and sometimes move them in big chunks.

Isaiah West gets north-south quickly. pic.twitter.com/Y5zD6X6g7v
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) May 15, 2025

The Expectations

Isaiah West enrolled early at Ohio State but was not full-go during spring practice due to the injury he suffered as a senior at St. Joseph’s. Still, the head start allowed him to gain a better knowledge of the Buckeye offense and the pace at which practices are run. This will all help him hit the ground running in fall camp.

West is one of three running back signees in the 2025 class — along with Bo Jackson and Turbo Rogers, and one of four freshman-eligible tailbacks on the Ohio State roster this season. Senior transfer CJ Donaldson and sophomore James Peoples are expected to be the top two options for the Buckeyes this season, but the race for No. 3 will get fully underway in fall camp when West is healthy and Rogers has finally enrolled.

Isaiah West has no problem running in a crowd and using his physicality to pick up extra yards. pic.twitter.com/ABiLFVEl9Z
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) May 15, 2025

The Bottom Line

Carlos Locklyn wasn’t on the job long at Ohio State before he extended an offer to Isaiah West, so that should tell you all you need to know about how Locklyn feels about him. West may not be needed this year, but that won’t stop Locklyn from getting him ready for whatever his contribution may be. West should earn his four regular season games at the very least and still maintain his redshirt, provided the game situations and depth chart allow for it.

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