Ohio State will be without its top two running backs next season, as Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson have both declared for the NFL Draft.
Their departures leave a significant void in the backfield, as both surpassed 1,000 rushing yards last season and were instrumental in the Buckeyes’ national championship run.
However, James Peoples appears ready to take on a larger role in 2025.
When discussing his potential impact, Peoples highlighted the strengths that make him a threat to opposing defenses.
“My quickness and my agility,” Peoples said. “I’m very explosive, I get in and out of holes. I break a lot of arm tackles and stuff like that. I’m a well-rounded back, I do it all.”
Peoples had limited opportunities last season, recording 49 carries for 197 yards and two touchdowns. But with Judkins and Henderson moving on, he’s poised for a bigger role.
“I’m just going to compete,” he added. “I don’t want to set any expectations or anything like that. I don’t know how it’s going to go, but I’m going to go hard, compete, and it’s going to be an exciting year.”
Ohio State’s offense will undergo even more changes, with quarterback Will Howard and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka also heading to the NFL.
Still, the Buckeyes have a history of reloading, and Peoples could be a key factor in their success next season.
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