Signed: Running back James Peoples bringing speed, power to Buckeyes backfield
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2024 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: James Peoples has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State landed its top priority running back at the right time. And now, the Buckeyes have signed him at the perfect time.
James Peoples has signed his letter of intent to Ohio State, officially sealing the verbal commitment he made over eight months ago.
What does Peoples’ addition to the Ohio State roster mean moving forward? Lettermen Row breaks it down.
Who is James Peoples?
James Peoples is a four-star running back from San Antonio, Texas, and played at Veterans Memorial High School.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back had a number of commitable scholarship offers including Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and others. But he chose Ohio State over all of those schools.
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On3 Industry Ranking: No. 104 overall, No. 7 RB, No. 18 Texas
On3 Ranking: No. 136 overall, No. 10 RB, No. 23 Texas
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
High School: Veterans Memorial H.S.
How did Peoples end up at Ohio State?
James Peoples had plenty of opportunities to play at places closer to home. But Ohio State stood out to him because of the relationships he had built with running back coach Tony Alford and of course head coach Ryan Day.
“Coach Alford is so personable. Whenever I talk to him, the conversation is always direct and it’s never a dry conversation,” Peoples told On3. “It’s a natural conversation. When we talk ball, it’s a whole other level of ball — mentally, physically, schematically, and he keeps me involved in what’s going on over there.”
“We have daily communication and it’s the same thing with Coach (Ryan) Day,” the top-100 back continued. “Coach Alford is a smart running back coach and personable, and when I need to talk he’s always there. He’s making me a better person, nurturing me as a student-athlete, and building my character.”
Peoples committed to Ohio State on April 2, just two days following his debut visit to campus. He was there on a weekend that featured plenty of then-prospects, now signees including the Armstrong twins, Mylan Graham and Air Noland. His commitment came at a good time for the Buckeyes as well as in-state running back Jordan Marshall committed to Michigan a few weeks prior.
Peoples will be an early enrollee as well.
