After a return visit to Columbus this weekend, San Antonio (Texas) Veterans Memorial four-star running back James Peoples has committed to Ohio State, becoming the seventh pledge for the Buckeyes in 2024.
Peoples, who released a top six in February that also featured Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, TCU and Texas, had the Buckeyes high on his list going into the offseason because of a strong relationship with running backs coach Tony Alford.
“A lot of things stand out about Ohio State,” Peoples said. “The culture, how they work and the coaching staff is amazing. Me and (running backs coach Tony Alford) stay in contact quite often, and we don’t just talk about ball, but when we do we dive into it.”
Peoples is a physical, stocky back with twitchy downfield speed that excels between the tackles, the San Antonio product ran for 1,904 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior which helped solidify him as a top backfield threat in the country.
What makes Peoples particularly special is his physicality that combines his 5-foot-11, 192-pound frame with speed down into the third level of the defense. His tape shows incredible balance in fighting through tacklers both behind the line of scrimmage and downfield after big games.
Peoples’ quick twitch allows him to line up in the slot as a receiving threat, where he has excelled in filing underneath for tunnel screens as well as finding holes in the middle of the field for big gains through the air.
The addition of Peoples in Ohio State’s 2024 class gives them a running back pledge in a class where the Buckeyes are expected to take two at the position. Peoples’ elusiveness and versatility allows Ryan Day and his staff to be flexible with the second running back take in the class or to go ahead and grab a weapon that is more physical with a specific up-and-down ability.
Regardless, the Buckeyes get back on the board at the position with one of the more versatile offensive weapons in the entire state of Texas.
At 5-foot-11, 192 pounds, Peoples is ranked as the No. 95 recruit in the country for the class of 2024, according to Rivals. He is the No. 10 running back in the country and the No. 15 recruit from the state of Texas.
Nick Harris, National Recruiting Analyst
Source link