James Peoples: Navigating the Shifting Tides of Ohio State’s Running Back Room

Expectations can be a heavy crown, especially in the cutthroat world of college football. For James Peoples, the highly touted running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the 2025 season began with whispers of breakout stardom. Yet, as the season progresses, Peoples finds himself in a different position than many anticipated, navigating a competitive depth chart and embracing a role that demands both patience and resilience. What does his journey reveal about player development and team dynamics at an elite program like Ohio State?

From Preseason Hype to Depth Chart Reality

Entering the 2025 season, the buzz around James Peoples was palpable. After flashing potential in limited action during 2024 as the No. 3 running back behind TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, he was projected for a significant leap. Comparisons to Buckeye legend J.K. Dobbins from figures like TreVeyon Henderson himself and Kirk Herbstreit further fueled the excitement. Peoples even split first-team reps with CJ Donaldson throughout the offseason, signaling a prominent role in the Ohio State offense.

However, football is a game of shifting fortunes. A modest performance in the season opener against Texas (20 yards on 10 carries) opened the door for new talents. Freshman Bo Jackson quickly capitalized, rapidly ascending the Buckeyes’ running back depth chart. Fellow freshman Isaiah West also surged, becoming Ohio State’s apparent No. 2 running back, showcasing an impressive 60 yards on nine carries against Purdue. Meanwhile, CJ Donaldson has solidified his niche, frequently deployed in critical goal-line and short-yardage situations, leaving Peoples with a more limited workload.

Peoples’ Perspective: Resilience Amidst Limited Opportunities

Understandably, the shift in roles has been an adjustment for Peoples. With only 52 yards on 17 carries in Ohio State’s last four games, it’s a far cry from the spotlight he was expected to command. Yet, his mindset remains firmly rooted in positivity and team success.

“It’s definitely been an adjustment,” Peoples remarked recently. “But it’s good to see the team is flourishing, where the offense is getting going, we’re getting some pace going into it as well. So a little bit, yes, but of course, just keeping my mind on the main goal. Team winning, team-oriented goals, and my faith in the Lord.”

While his position on the depth chart might have slipped, Peoples is still seeing more playing time than in 2024. Unlike last season when Henderson and Judkins dominated nearly every snap, Ohio State is now actively employing a four-man running back rotation. Peoples has recorded at least 10 snaps in every game, demonstrating that the coaching staff still values his contribution, even if his opportunities to carry the ball are fewer.

Versatility and the Passing Game: Peoples’ Unsung Strengths

Despite Bo Jackson (6.45 yards per carry) and Isaiah West (5.21 yards per carry) emerging as the primary ball carriers, Peoples (4.75 yards per carry) remains a valuable asset in the rotation. The Buckeyes clearly believe he brings unique value to the offense, and Peoples himself is confident in his versatile skill set.

“I love running between the tackles, catching the ball, being put out in space, making people miss, getting downhill. I mean, I think to me, everything is a strength,” Peoples asserted. “And I’ve really been working on that. You see the growth from my freshman year to this year… I’ve really strengthened up every part of my game and continue to get stronger in areas; pass protection, everything like that.”

One area where Peoples has consistently contributed is the passing game. More than half of his snaps this season have been on passing plays, and he’s hauled in four receptions in the last three games. His background as a wide receiver before transitioning to running back has endowed him with natural receiving abilities, making him a reliable target out of the backfield.

“I’ve always had good hands and I’ve always been agile and being able to move me in that area is something they’ve done more this year,” he explained. “So I mean, I think it’s always just been a strength of mine. It’s never been a weakness in my hands, being able to catch the ball in space and stuff like that.”

Chasing Explosive Plays and Maintaining Focus

The quest for an explosive play is a natural ambition for any running back, especially when carries are limited. Outside of a couple of longer runs against Minnesota, Peoples hasn’t broken off many big plays in Big Ten competition this season. He acknowledges the hunger for a “home-run play” but understands the importance of staying disciplined.

“Every time you want to be like, ‘Man, I gotta strike, I gotta strike.’ But having your mind like that can really throw you off of your game,” Peoples reflected. “So I’d say really just taking each play as its own individual play and not really being worried about, ‘OK, I need to strike, I need to do this, that, and the third.’ ‘Cause my reps might be limited, but really just taking the most out of every opportunity, just keeping my mindset on that.”

The Road Ahead: Growth, Belief, and Championship Aspirations

The Ohio State running game as a whole has faced scrutiny this season, leading the coaching staff to experiment and lean into the burgeoning talents of their freshmen. Yet, Peoples remains undeterred, viewing the challenges as opportunities for personal and athletic growth.

“This game comes with a lot of ups and downs, man, and being able to navigate through that and to put your best foot forward each Saturday in and out and even coming to practice and work every day, just seeing my growth as a player, my growth as a person, all that’s really just been continuing to go in the right direction,” Peoples shared.

With significant games still ahead and championship aspirations firmly in sight for the Buckeyes, James Peoples knows there’s ample time to redefine the narrative of his season. His determination to contribute, coupled with his unwavering belief, paints a picture of a player ready to seize every moment.

“I’m hungry for it, man,” Peoples added. “I came here and I want to be a contributor to this team, of course. So every time I’m in there, I’m giving it my all.”

While the path may have veered from initial expectations, James Peoples embodies the resilience and dedication vital to success at the highest levels of college football. His story is a testament to adapting, growing, and contributing wherever the team needs him most.