2024 Freshman Class Report: Running Back James Peoples

This is the 20th installment in a series where Buckeye Huddle looks back on each member of Ohio State’s 2024 signing class and the impact they had in their first season, as well as the impact they could have during the upcoming 2025 season. Up next is running back James Peoples.

The Buckeyes signed running back James Peoples out of Veteran’s Memorial High School in San Antonio, Texas. Peoples had an injury-shortened senior year but as a junior he rushed for 1,904 yards and 28 touchdowns. He averaged over 10 yards per carry in each of his final two high school seasons.

Peoples (5-10 203) was ranked the No. 8 running back in the nation per the 247Sports Composite and the No. 115 player in the class overall. He signed with the Buckeyes over offers from Alabama, Texas, Oregon, Oklahoma, Penn State, USC, and many others.

2024 Season

James Peoples was one of just four scholarship running backs on the Ohio State roster in 2024. He and fellow freshman Sam Williams-Dixon both enrolled early, which allowed the Buckeyes to have all four scholarship backs available for spring practice.

Peoples won the battle for the third-string running back behind co-starters TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. He played in eight games last season, rushing for 197 yards on on 49 attempts (4.0 ypc). He scored two touchdowns — one each in OSU’s first two games last season.

People’s season-highs came in the second game of the season when he rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries. He also carried the ball seven times in the first-round College Football Playoff game against Tennessee as the Buckeyes were simply trying to run the clock out to avoid further embarrassing the Tennessee fans in attendance.

So Now What For James Peoples?

James Peoples (5-10 203) is now the most-experienced returning running back from last year’s team, but running backs coach Carlos Locklyn did bring in senior transfer CJ Donaldson from West Virginia. Donaldson has rushed for over 2,000 yards in his career, but has done so in a one-two punch, much like Ohio State had last year.

Whether Peoples wins the starting job this season or not, he will be heavily involved in the Ohio State running game. TreVeyon Henderson recently compared Peoples to former Buckeye great JK Dobbins, which could be an indicator of things to come this season.

Ohio State will have six scholarship running backs on the roster this season, but the experience level compared to last year has dropped significantly. Peoples learned from two great backs, which has helped his development and understanding of what the position requires. Based on skill set and opportunity, James Peoples is a pretty good bet to lead the Buckeyes in rushing this season.