J.K. Dobbins: From Ohio State Star to NFL Running Back

J'Kaylin "J.K." Dobbins, born on December 17, 1998, is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). His journey to the NFL was paved with remarkable achievements in high school and college, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic and explosive player.

High School Career

Dobbins attended La Grange High School in La Grange, Texas, where he established himself as a dominant force on the football field. During his high school career, he amassed an impressive 5,149 rushing yards and scored 74 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he rushed for 2,243 yards and 37 touchdowns, followed by 2,740 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior. Unfortunately, his senior year was cut short due to an injury, limiting him to just one game.

Despite the injury, Dobbins' exceptional talent and performance earned him recognition as a highly-touted four-star prospect. He received over twenty scholarship offers from Power Five conferences, a testament to his potential and the high regard in which he was held by college football programs.

College Career at Ohio State

Dobbins committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he continued to showcase his skills and make a significant impact.

2017 Season: Record-Breaking Freshman Year

In his first game at Ohio State in 2017, Dobbins made an immediate impression, rushing for 181 yards on 29 carries against Indiana. He earned the starting role over the returning 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Mike Weber, who was recovering from an injury. Throughout his first season, Dobbins consistently delivered strong performances, eclipsing 100 rushing yards in six games. He became only the fourth freshman in Ohio State history to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season.

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During the 2017 Big Ten Football Championship Game, Dobbins broke Maurice Clarett's record for the most rushing yards by a freshman, with an outstanding 174-yard performance that earned him the MVP award.

2018 Season: Sophomore Year

Despite his record-setting 2017 season, Dobbins shared playing time with Weber during his sophomore year. This time split, combined with Dwayne Haskins' exceptional performance at quarterback, led to a decrease in Dobbins' overall productivity.

2019 Season: Junior Year and 2,000-Yard Milestone

Dobbins entered his junior season with high expectations, which he undoubtedly met. He gained over 100 rushing yards in ten games during the season, including a remarkable four-touchdown performance against Michigan, where he rushed for 211 yards. He concluded his season as the only Buckeye in history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season, surpassing Eddie George's previous record.

On December 30, 2019, Dobbins declared his intention to forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL draft. He left Ohio State with a total of 4,459 rushing yards, ranking him second all-time in program history.

NFL Career

2020 Season: Baltimore Ravens

Dobbins was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 55th overall pick. The Ravens had previously traded tight end Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons to acquire the pick used on Dobbins.

In his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns on September 13, 2020, Dobbins had seven carries for 22 yards and scored his first two career rushing touchdowns in a 38-6 victory. In Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had his first 100-yard rushing game with 15 carries for 113 rushing yards in the 24-28 loss. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 23, 2020, and activated on December 4. Dobbins' first career start came in a Week 16 27-13 win over the New York Giants.

2021 Season

Dobbins was cleared for full-time starter duty after missing the first two weeks of the season. However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve on August 30, 2021.

2022 Season

Dobbins was activated from injured reserve on December 10, 2022. In Week 14 against the Steelers, he had 15 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown in the 16-14 win. In Week 15 against the Browns, he had 13 carries for 125 yards in the 13-3 loss. In the 2022 season, Dobbins appeared in and started eight games.

2023 Season

In the Week 1 game against the Houston Texans, Dobbins finished with 22 rushing yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with a torn Achilles injury.

2024 Season: Los Angeles Chargers

On April 18, 2024, Dobbins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 1, Dobbins rushed for 135 yards as the Chargers beat the Raiders 22-10. The following week, Dobbins ran for 131 yards as the Chargers beat the Panthers 26-3. On November 30, 2024, Dobbins was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

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2025 Season: Denver Broncos

On June 11, 2025, Dobbins signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Denver Broncos. In Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Dobbins rushed for 101 yards, becoming the Broncos' first 100-yard rusher in their past 38 games (the last being Latavius Murray in 2022). In Week 10, Dobbins suffered a Lisfranc injury. On November 15, 2025, it was announced that Dobbins would undergo season-ending foot surgery.

Player Profile

Full Name: J'Kaylin Dobbins
Position: Running Back
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 212 lbs
High School: La Grange High School (La Grange, Texas)
College: Ohio State University
Birthdate: December 17, 1998

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