Ohio State picked up a huge addition on the offensive side of the ball today as 2024 four-star running back James Peoples announced he will be taking his services to Columbus.

I Wanted to thank my Family, Coaches, and Friends for supporting me through this entire process. I wanted to also thank all the Universities who have recruited me… With that being said I will be Committing to the University OF 🅾️HIO STATE 🌰‼️@OhioStateFB @Bucknuts247 @Birm pic.twitter.com/LvRrNcWoOP

— James (@James_peoples17) April 3, 2023

Peoples is rated as the No. 94 overall player in the 2024 class, the No. 5 running back, and the No. 17 player in the state of Texas. The Buckeyes had been searching for a top-end running back to join the 2024 class, and after Cincinnati Moeller’s Jordan Marshall pledged to Michigan, the Buckeyes ramped up their pursuit of Peoples even further.

Hailing from San Antonio, Peoples is the first running back to head to Ohio State from Texas since JK Dobbins in 2017. Ironically, both players come in with a similar profile, as Peoples stands 5’10 and weighs 192 pounds, while Dobbins was 5’9.5 and 199 pounds out of high school. Peoples is a MAJOR recruiting coup for Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford, who plucked Peoples over schools such as Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Peoples is the first running back in Ohio State’s 2024 class, and it is no secret that they are looking for another back to join him. One name to keep an eye on is Sam Williams-Dixon, a three-star from Pickerington North in Columbus.

Featured image via: Spectrum News 1, San Antonio