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Ohio State playmaker makes honest admission about his original decision to enter the transfer portal and leave Columbus

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Mar 20, 2025 2:18 PM ET

Ohio State had a star-studded running back room in 2024 between TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. Now that they’re off to the NFL, the Buckeyes have to turn the page.

Ohio State has two returning backs with James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon back as sophomores. Neither saw big playing time last year in very limited roles. Additionally, the Buckeyes brought in three running backs in the class of 2025. West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson is expected to be a major part of the room.

One piece of the room that didn’t always look like would be returning is Williams-Dixon. The sophomore running back entered the transfer portal a couple of months ago but opted to return to Ohio State. Williams-Dixon admitted that it wasn’t the right decision to enter the portal in the first place.

“For starters, it was just me listening to the wrong people,” Williams-Dixon said on Wednesday. “I had to take care of my life. I didn’t have control of it and I got control of it. What brought me back … I didn’t want to leave. I love it here.”

It was during the College Football Playoff run that Williams-Dixon decided to enter his name in the portal. He returned to Ohio State on Feb. 13 and as time went by, it seemed like that could end up being the case. Many were surprised that Williams-Dixon entered the portal in the first place because he was just one of two returning running backs for the 2025 season.

In 2024, Williams-Dixon carried the ball just seven times for 53 yards. The 5-foot-11, 203-pound running back is a former three-star recruit from Pickerington North. With a year under his belt in Columbus, the talented underclassman should be able to take a step forward.

Ohio State’s depth chart will include Donaldson, Peoples, Williams-Dixon, and Jackson in some form. The freshman Jackson is already impressive and looks the part.

Returning to Columbus was the right choice Williams-Dixon believes, this spring and summer will be huge for the second year back. If he’s going to make an impact as a sophomore, it has to start now by asserting himself.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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