Former Ohio State football player is heading to play for a Big Ten rival in the transfer portal – and he was once expected to start for the Buckeyes
The transfer portal just brought a Big Ten storyline for the Buckeyes.
It’s been a busy few days for the Ohio State Buckeyes since they ended their season against Miami in the Cotton Bowl. The transfer portal has been full go since last Friday — and Ohio State has had double-digit players choose to leave the program.
Ohio State has had a couple of commitments from the transfer portal already with Ohio TE Mason Williams and UCF DL John Walker. Players in the portal are flying off the board as the days go by — and the latest former Buckeye to commit is staying in the Big Ten.
James Peoples is heading to play for Penn State
Ohio State had two second-year running backs enter the transfer portal with James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon. Peoples has already found a landing spot — and the former four-star running back will be heading to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Peoples entered 2025 as what many expected to be the starting running back. That was never the case as CJ Donaldson for the start against Texas — and the emergence of Bo Jackson took off from there. Peoples was firmly the team’s fourth option at the end of the season behind both freshmen Jackson and Isaiah West. Peoples finished 2025 with 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 14 games played.
Ohio State needs one running back in the transfer portal
Jackson was the leading rusher of the Buckeyes this past season with 1,090 yards and six touchdowns. The freshman is expected to be the guy for Ohio State next year — but it would be wise to bring in an experienced back who can pass block and play on third downs if needed.
West showed promise for Ohio State as a freshman 310 yards in 10 games. Carlos Locklyn will have two sophomores to lead the way next year, but the room is still going to need depth. Turbo Rogers and incoming freshman Favour Akih will add to the room, but neither can be expected to contribute significantly at this point.
As for Peoples, the Buckeyes won’t see him in 2026, unless it’s in the postseason. Ohio State does not have the Nittany Lions on their regular-season schedule.
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