Ranking Ohio State's 2025 Playmakers: No. 2 - RB James Peoples

James Peoples is a sophomore running back who spent his true freshman season as the Buckeyes’ No. 3 option on the ground behind 1,000-yard rushers Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson.

No. 2 – James Peoples – Sophomore Running Back

James Peoples was part of the Buckeyes’ 2024 recruiting class where he was one of the top running backs in the state of Texas. And when you are one of the top running backs in the state of Texas, that automatically qualifies you to be one of the top running backs in the nation overall.

Peoples played sparingly last year, stepping in at the end of blowouts like a cleanup crew after a concert. He rushed for 199 yards on 49 carries – running into a clairvoyant eight-man box on most of those carries. His teammates, however, have seen him in practices at his best, and they have been adamant about his ability to make plays.

Statistical History

What He Does Well

James Peoples hasn’t yet gotten to show his true playmaking self, but he has shown glimpses of the kind of balance and strength that leads to broken tackles and big runs. Peoples has the speed to take advantage of a defense’s mistakes as well.

Built low to the ground, he runs with great leverage and has the agility to make good use of his vision. He has the patience to allow his blocks to get where they need to be. He also has a group of physical receivers helping him along the way.

Peoples hasn’t done much pass catching yet, but it’s something he is comfortable doing.

James Peoples In 2025

James Peoples will be the Buckeyes’ starting running back this season, which means that no skill player other than the Ohio State quarterback will touch the ball more than he will. Peoples will have about 200 chances to make big plays this season, and it’s going to be interesting to see how effective he actually is as a big-play back.

The Buckeyes expect to have one of the top offensive lines in the nation, along with arguably the best group of receivers in college football. Those are the offensive traits that every talented running back would love to run behind.

With a defense being spread out against OSU’s versatile attack, there will be times when Peoples hits an explosive play without being touched. And there will be other times where one missed or broken tackle will be all that is needed.

Ohio State opponents will see stopping the run as their first priority, but they’ll be limited in how they can attack that priority. That is going to be good news for James Peoples. (It also wouldn’t hurt for the quarterback to keep a few reads as well in order to slow down the way defenses key on the running back.)

What They Are Saying

“James Peoples is a dawg. That young running back coming up, he makes a lot of plays. I mean, just a hard-working man. A dude that runs hard every time he gets a chance. He’s a big running back and tough to get down in the open field, so I think he’s going to make a lot of plays.” — Former Buckeye safety Lathan Ransom.

“Similarities, just how he’s a one-cut slasher, but he has a good jump cut. I did play a good amount last year, but of course y’all didn’t get a chance to see me fully open up. So this year y’all will see that, but there’s a lot of similarities in our game and just how he moves. And of course our statistics as well — height, weight, they make all that comparison. But at the end of the day, I am my own back. But that’s a good comparison, yeah.” — James Peoples on comparisons to former Buckeye running back JK Dobbins.

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