Early Signing Period: Four-Star Running Back James Peoples Signs With Ohio State

Get to know San Antonio Veterans Memorial four-star running back James Peoples, who signed with the Buckeyes on Wednesday.

James Peoples – From the Lone Star State to the Buckeye State.  This all-purpose back with some serious Ohio ties has made his way to CBUS where he looks to emulate the elite Buckeye backs of old while setting a new standard dominating in the pass game while also grinding… pic.twitter.com/AI3yKUf1Qe

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 20, 2023

Height, Weight: 5-10, 192

247Sports Composite Ranking: He is rated as the No. 95 overall prospect, seventh-ranked running back and 17th-ranked recruit out of Texas.

Commitment Date: Peoples committed to Ohio State on April 2.

Other Offers: Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Kansas, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, USC.

How He Did In High School: In 2022, Peoples ran for 2,044 yards and 31 touchdowns on 208 carries (9.8 yards per carry) along with 294 yards and three touchdowns on 16 catches. In 2023 he missed a few games with an injury, but ran for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns on 92 rushing attempts.

Where He Fits For 2024: Two running backs that could have competed for time on the field in 2024 have already transferred away from Ohio State with Chip Trayanum going to Kentucky and Evan Pryor to Cincinnati. TreVeyon Henderson has a decision to make about whether he will go to the NFL or come back to play another season for the Buckeyes, and Miyan Williams has already declared for the draft.

If Henderson leaves, Dallan Hayden will be the only running back that got time on the field who will return to the team. With running back being a position that is high-risk for injury, and the fact that Ryan Day has been using multiple players out of the backfield, Peoples will have a good opportunity to get on the field in 2024, likely behind Hayden.