Spring Preview: Buckeyes In Search Of Pair And Spare At Running Back

Overview

The Buckeyes have an interesting mix of running backs, as the most experienced member of the room is transfer CJ Donaldson from West Virginia. James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon are second-year guys, while three true freshmen will be on campus this season as well. Of those three, Bo Jackson and Isaiah West are on campus now. Turbo Rogers will arrive in the summer.

Scholarship Roster

CJ Donaldson, Sr, 6-2 230
Transferred in from West Virginia where he rushed for over 2,000 yards in his three-year career as a part-time starter.

James Peoples, Soph, 5-10 203
One of the top backs in the 2024 recruiting class. Has elite balance. Will get to showcase his full skillset this season.

Sam Williams-Dixon, rFr, 5-11 203
Went into the transfer portal late in the season but returned. Only had a handful of touches as a true freshman, but is plenty talented.

Bo Jackson, Fr, 6-0 220
Ranked the No. 11 running back in the 2025 recruiting class, Jackson is already generating buzz.

Isaiah West, Fr, 5-11 208
From the same high school as former Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. Talented all-around back. Ranked the No. 26 player at his position.

Turbo Rogers, Fr, 5-8 190
Decommitted from Alabama. Ranked the No. 4 RB in the class, but spent his last two years in high school floating between the backfield and the slot.

For Starters

The Buckeyes must replace co-starters TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who finished with 86% of the running back carries and 89% of the running back rushing yards last year. Henderson and Judkins spent a combined seven years in college, rushing for over 7,500 yards. No team in the nation is replacing more talent at this position than Ohio State.

New Additions

Of the five running backs taking part in spring ball, three are new to Ohio State. CJ Donaldson transferred from West Virginia where he rushed for 526 yards as a true freshman, 798 yards as a sophomore, and 734 yards last year as a junior. He never led the Mountaineers in rushing, but finished second his first two years and third last year. True freshmen Bo Jackson and Isaiah West are in for spring, but Turbo Rogers is not. All three of them have their own particular skill sets that

Spring Depth Chart

20	James Peoples
12	CJ Donaldson OR
24	Sam Williams-Dixon
10	Bo Jackson
NA	Isaiah West

What’s The Latest

James Peoples is no longer a quiet freshman. After rushing for 197 yards last year as a true freshman, he is now emerging as a leader. He watched TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins set the pace last season, and he’s trying to keep that same level of energy and consistency going now. Even though he is a sophomore, he is set on being the leader of the running back room in every way.

Expectations

The Buckeyes are replacing a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, but don’t expect anybody to feel sorry for running backs coach Carlos Locklyn. James Peoples and CJ Donaldson will set the tone, but don’t forget about Sam Williams-Dixon who is back at Ohio State for a reason. There are going to be plenty of reps to go around, and Locklyn will have a tip or a pointer for each one of them.

Question Needing An Answer

What are the Buckeyes going to get from CJ Donaldson this spring? Donaldson, who has dropped some weight this winter and is currently around 230 pounds, is by far the most experienced of the running backs, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be the leader of the room. He’s brand new to Ohio State. Transfers generally have to ease their way into a new program. This spring will be an opportunity for Donaldson to lead by example, but also show what he can do in an Ohio State offense that is more diverse than the one he played in at West Virginia.

Breakout Candidate

Freshman Bo Jackson has already added weight as he prepares for the grind of college football. He was a big-play guy in high school, but was able to do it inside or outside. He is a strong runner who can hit the open field and leave everyone behind. Jackson is the kind of mature freshman that coaches speak glowingly about before they ever step foot on the field. Don’t be shocked when the buzz starts picking up in a big way in about two weeks.

Quarterback | Safety

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