Likely Ohio State starter admits one thing he wants to be carried over from the National Championship team
Ohio State is set to reload at a ton of key positions on their 2025 roster following the National Championship season they’re coming off of. One key change will be the Buckeyes moving on from running back tandem TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Ohio State will have to replace both 1,000-yard running backs and finding […]
Ohio State is set to reload at a ton of key positions on their 2025 roster following the National Championship season they’re coming off of.
One key change will be the Buckeyes moving on from running back tandem TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Ohio State will have to replace both 1,000-yard running backs and finding success on the ground will be key to where the 2025 team goes.
Ohio State may be set to have a running back duo leading the way once again in 2025. James Peoples is the leading returner as a true sophomore, but Ohio State brought in West Virginia transfer RB CJ Donaldson Jr., who is going to see significant snaps. Last week, Peoples admitted he wants to see the touches split like they were last season.
“I would prefer that. (It will help) your body longevity and your lifespan in the league, so it’s a big help,” Peoples said recently. “I do see us doing that again. Ultimately, it’s up to Coach Lock (Locklyn). But I do feel like that’s what’s going to happen.”
PPeoples ran for 197 yards last season but carried the football just 49 times. Ohio State leaned heavily on their top two running backs and for good reason being that they’re two future NFL starters. Bringing in Donaldson was key with the experience that he has, it was needed.
Donaldson had back-to-back seasons with at least 700 yards rushing the last two seasons and scored 22 touchdowns combined. The came came in at nearly 240 pounds, but has already dropped into the mid 220s, where he is likely to stay.
Ohio State has second-year RB Sam Williams-Dixon back as well as three freshmen on the roster. Freshman Bo Jackson is leading that group of newcomers and is the most likely to see snaps in 2025 out of any freshman.
If Carlos Locklyn wants to keep his backs fresh in 2025 by splitting touches again, he has the personnel to do so. Peoples is on board with it and that shows great unselfishness. Don’t be surprised if the Buckeyes once again have a two-headed monster in the back rifled, even if the names aren’t as well known right now.
