​As preseason camp kicks off this week, Land-Grant Holy Land is continuing its dive into a fresh weekly theme throughout the off-season. This week’s focus centers on making predictions that may or may not be reasonable—and some might even call them bold. You can catch up on all Theme Week content here and explore all of our Bold Predictions articles here. I must admit I got a bit disoriented while out of town for the holiday weekend, and I didn’t have the chance to share my bold prediction during last week’s theme week. Still, the adage “better late than never” exists for a reason, and today it applies as I offer my bold forecast ahead of the 2026 college football season. Please forgive the tardiness.
That bold prediction, spicy take, or whatever you prefer to call it is this: an Ohio State player will win the Heisman Trophy following the upcoming season, but it won’t be Jeremiah Smith or Julian Sayin. Sure, Smith and Sayin are the most logical candidates, but I’m placing all my eggs in a different basket altogether—one that resembles a running back in the mold of Bo Jackson.
A few weeks ago, I argued that if Jackson could rush for at least 1,500 yards, Ohio State would boast a top-five offense nationally. Just a couple of days ago, our colleague Alex Frank boldly projected that Jackson would lead the Big Ten in rushing. Like Alex, I believe the combination of Arthur Smith’s system and Jackson’s year of experience, along with more time in the Ohio State program, will work wonders for the sophomore rusher. Jackson’s progress could be the catalyst for a breakout season in 2026.
Expect Jackson to break more tackles in 2026, and, with better health from start to finish—something that eluded him in 2025 and hampered him in the latter part of his freshman year—he should unleash more explosive plays. A healthy Jackson should also become a more productive red-zone option, contributing crucial touchdowns. This expanded scoring threat will enable the Buckeyes to lean on him in tight situations, and those additional touchdowns could push him into Heisman contention by midseason.
While Sayin and Smith will likely remain a dangerous one-two combination, they may end up canceling each other out on some occasions. Still, there’s a chance one of them joins Jackson in New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. The key distinction this year is that Jackson will be competing in a stronger schedule than in 2025, facing more high-profile games that are harder to overlook than wins over Maryland or Purdue.
The road ahead will be challenging, starting with Week 2 at Texas, where Jackson will be tasked with delivering a standout performance. But I expect him to reach the 100-yard mark and score at least once. I also anticipate standout showings against Iowa, Oregon, Indiana, and Michigan, where his play could resonate with voters who tune in for the big games that were somewhat scarce on the OSU schedule last year. Together with improved performances in clash-worthy contests, Jackson could position himself as a legitimate Heisman contender as the season progresses.
This bold take is crafted with optimism about Jackson’s development, a stronger supporting cast, and a schedule that presents ample opportunities to shine on the national stage. As the 2026 season unfolds, keep an eye on how Jackson’s growth translates into production in both the run game and red-zone efficiency, and whether those factors—paired with memorable performances in marquee matchups—propel him into the Heisman spotlight by midseason and beyond.