On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Ohio State trending heavily for RB James Peoples
San Antonio (Texas) Veterans Memorial four-star running back James Peoples named his top six schools back in February.
That list that included Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and TCU.
“I want to be that lone star, bell-cow back for whatever university I go to,” Peoples told On3’s Chad Simmons. “Running backs get beat up and stuff like that, (so) another back that is also talented in that room with me wouldn’t be a bad idea, so we can share the field, but also preserve our bodies for the NFL. The NFL is ultimately my highest goal and college is that next step to getting there. But I don’t want to run my body out short because I’m putting too much of a load on myself.”
Visits coming up for James Peoples
Since he narrowed down his list, Peoples has also set official visits to Oklahoma and Ohio State in the month of June.
But after a pair of recent expert picks in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), the Buckeyes have taken a commanding lead in the race to land him. They now hold a 94.1 percent chance of securing his commitment.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pound tailback is set to visit the Buckeyes next weekend for a multi-day unofficial visit, and he’s now become their top running back target after four-star Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller back Jordan Marshall committed to Michigan earlier this week.
He has yet to announce a commitment timeline, but the Buckeyes are in strong position whenever he ultimately makes a decision.
Peoples is the No. 86 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the country’s No. 5 running back and the No. 16 recruit in the state of Texas.
Breaking down his top six schools
In February, James Peoples spoke about what stands out with each of his top schools.
Alabama: “They have a unique process of (coaching) running backs. When they explained to me the process of the running backs… and how they really develop the backs, of course, they’ve had a great history of running backs that they’ve produced into the league and are very successful like Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, people like that. It proves that it works.”
Ohio State: “Speaking with Ohio State, it’s a very special place. The coaching staff, from coach (Tony) Alford to coach (Ryan) Day, it’s a very special, loving staff. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with all their staff and they’re all very invested me and hearing things that they have to say, breaking down the things that they like and the constant communication that we’ve had, that place is special. Ezekiel Elliott, you got so many staples athletes that go to that program to get developed and be successful. It’s a special spot.”
Oklahoma: “Me going up there, it was a very special place. They talked about many things. They really talk about the development of character and the people that they’re looking for. Even though it was a Junior Day, they only invited about 28 people. They’re very specific on who they want and the character and people that they want.”
Oregon: “Talking with (Carlos) Locklyn, he develops (players on and off the field). He has a process that he explained to me that I feel like is a process that has been working.”
TCU: “TCU is just a special place. They had a special season as well. This new coaching staff has definitely turned around that program completely and I recognize that.”
Texas: “Texas is a high-motor place. It’s a very energetic environment and the people there are also amazing. They, of course, have that great history of Bijan Robinson and the running backs at that school, so that also plays a factor, in how they utilize their running backs, how much success they’ve had at rushing these past couple years. Going up there and getting more familiar with the environment because it is closer and it is also a team that I’m really looking at right now, it all plays a factor into that. I say mostly it’s because they’re so close that I’m able to get up there ever so often.”