Ohio State Adds Four-Star Running Back James Peoples

Ohio State added a commitment on Sunday from San Antonio (Texas) Veterans Memorial four-star running back James Peoples (5-10, 192), now the seventh commitment in the Buckeyes’ recruiting class.

Peoples is the No. 65 overall prospect and No. 5 running back in the class, and he picked Ohio State over Oklahoma and Texas, his other top schools.

BREAKING: Four-Star RB James Peoples tells me he has Committed to Ohio State!

The No. 5 RB in the Nation chose the Buckeyes over Oklahoma, Alabama, & others.

“My goal for this class is to have one of the strongest classes in the history of Ohio State recruiting!”… pic.twitter.com/Zsbmc81DtD

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 3, 2023

His commitment is an especially important one for Ohio State given the recent loss of Jordan Marshall, a four-star, in-state running back that committed to Michigan in recent weeks. People’s’ commitment is the first at running back in this class for Ohio State, with Pickerington (Ohio) North three-star running back Sam Williams-Dixon as the other key target for the Buckeyes.

Peoples had previously put Ohio State among his top schools and committed following his visit to Columbus from March 30 through April 1. He had an official visit on deck in June, which will now be undertaken as a committed prospect.

Peoples’ commitment comes after a junior season in which he rushed for 1,904 yards and 28 touchdowns. He camped with the Buckeyes last summer and received his offer from Ohio State and running backs coach Tony Alford in October.

His verbal pledge is the latest in a string of commitments for Ohio State, with Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edwards four-star offensive linemen Deontae and Devontae Armstrong joining the 2024 recruiting class last week.