In just two recruiting cycles, Carlos Locklyn has assembled such elite talent at running back that the Buckeyes have gone from uncertainty to forcing quality players to seek opportunities elsewhere
Running Backs Coach Carlos Locklyn of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on during warms up before the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When Carlos Locklyn arrived at Ohio State in the middle of spring practice two years ago, the Buckeyes’ running back situation was a question mark.
Fast forward to today, and Locklyn has assembled a stable so talent-rich that quality players are transferring out simply because the competition is too fierce. “Has Carlos Lachland if this happens? Has he like kind of low-key quietly become one of Ohio State’s most valuable recruiters if he pulls this off?” Stephen Means asked on a recent Buckeye Talk podcast, referring to Locklyn potentially landing five-star running back David Gabriel Georgees in the 2027 class. The transformation has been remarkable. In his first full recruiting cycle, Locklyn secured Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, and Turbo Rogers. He followed that by landing Leo Kpegian and Legend Bay in his second class. Now, analysts project he’ll add Georgees, the nation’s No. 2 running back and 13th overall player in 2027. What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is the domino effect it’s having on the roster. As Gillis noted during the podcast, “And all of a sudden this kind of went from a I don’t know what this room’s going to look like to dudes are leaving because the room is too... Like no disrespect to James Peoples, but James Peoples did not leave here because Ohio State was like, ‘You stink. Get up on out of here.’ There’s Bo Jackson and Isaiah West and he got jumped by a younger dude on the depth chart.” The exodus of quality talent speaks volumes about what Locklyn has built. James Peoples, who transferred to Penn State , didn’t leave because of poor performance but because the competition for carries became too intense. This is creating a positive feedback loop for recruiting. Elite running backs now see Ohio State as a destination where the best of the best compete, raising the standard for everyone. The coaching staff also appears willing to make significant NIL investments in game-changing talents like Georgees because they’re confident in his immediate impact. As Gillis explained regarding the potential Georgees addition: “He’s going to play for you right away. Like he’s going to play for you right away. You you don’t have to say we’re paying him to sit on the bench because I don’t think that’s going to happen. David Gabriel Georgees is the only running back in this class.” The ripple effects of Locklyn’s recruiting success extend beyond just the running back room. His ability to consistently land elite talent allows Ohio State to allocate resources strategically across other positions, confident that running back is in good hands. It also enables the program to be more selective with running back recruiting in future cycles, knowing the depth chart is stacked with multi-year contributors. While other position coaches like Brian Hartline , Tim Walton , and James Laurinaitis have received more attention for their recruiting prowess, Locklyn has quietly built perhaps the most impressive position group on the team. The ultimate validation? Ohio State can now focus on landing just one elite running back per cycle rather than hedging with multiple prospects—the ultimate sign of confidence in both Locklyn’s evaluation skills and his ability to develop the talent he recruits. To hear more insights about how Carlos Locklyn is transforming Ohio State’s running back room and the implications for the Buckeyes’ future, check out the full Buckeye Talk podcast with Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis breaking down the program’s 2027 recruiting projections.Predicting Ohio State’s 2027 recruiting class: Buckeye Talk podcast
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