‘He’s pushing to be great’: Ohio State coach is already saying good things about potential breakout star for the Buckeyes
Ohio State had the luxury of a two-headed monster in 2024 with their running game being led by TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Getting Judkins in the transfer portal was the perfect match for the Buckeyes and it helped pave the road to a National Championship. Unfortunately, Columbus got to see that duo together for […]
Ohio State had the luxury of a two-headed monster in 2024 with their running game being led by TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
Getting Judkins in the transfer portal was the perfect match for the Buckeyes and it helped pave the road to a National Championship. Unfortunately, Columbus got to see that duo together for just one season with them off to the NFL.
Now, the player with the most returning experience in Columbus is sophomore James Peoples, who running backs coach Carlos Locklyn provided a good update on during the first week of spring practice.
“He's pushing to be great,” Locklyn told the media last week. “I mean, I think he had a great example last year with Trey and then Q. So, he's doing some really good things. But like I said, Coach Locklyn ain't gonna make it easy for nobody.”
Locklyn is entering his second season coaching in Columbus after coming over from Oregon. Last season the Buckeyes had two 1,000-yard rushers, which is a heavy amount of production to replace. Peoples is going to be one of the players carting much of the load in 2025, along with West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson Jr.
Peoples is a former four-star recruit, who was the No. 7 running back in the class of 2024, per 247 Sports. As a true freshman, Peoples played in eight games and had 49 carries for 197 yards as the No. 3 running back.
Ohio State could see an offense similar to last year where two running backs nearly split carries. Still, Peoples is expected to make a big jump as a true sophomore.
The 5-foot-10, 203-pound running back impressed at times in 2024 with his ability to hit a hole hard and find yards as a newcomer. Now, the expectations are rising with a year under his belt.
