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Ryan Day delivers bold statement about Ohio State’s expected starting running back for the 2025 season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 10:37 AM ET

Ohio State was blessed with a two-headed monster last season between TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Having two running backs go over 1,000 yards is tough to do and that was what the Buckeyes accomplished.

Unfortunately, folks in Columbus only got to see one year of that and both players are now off to the NFL, where they will be drafted later this month.

It is time for the next man up in Columbus and the Buckeyes are likely to hand the starting job to a true sophomore in 2025.

James Peoples’ time has come to be the guy likely and the former four-star recruit has had a good spring.

“I feel like James [Peoples] has a chance to be a special back,” Ryan Day said after the spring game on Saturday. “He's seen the way it's supposed to look. I feel solid about where we're at [and] I feel we have what we need there."

Peoples was the No. 3 running back for the Buckeyes last season as a true freshman but Ohio State didn’t go deep much. Peoples carried the ball 49 times for 197 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Now, the Texas native and former No. 7 RB in the class of 2024 is ready to step up.

Past Peoples, West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson is going to play a role for Carlos Locklyn’s unit. Sam Williams-Dixon is another player entering his second season with the program as well. Ohio State brought in three freshman running backs and if one is to see the field, my money would be on Bo Jackson, who shaped flashes in the spring game of what he can do.

Locklyn’s group is in a good place in 2025 and the Buckeyes should once again have a good rushing attack. It will be interesting to see how the Buckeyes split the offense between running and passing with Brian Hartline in his first season calling plays.

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

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