James Peoples is heading to Ohio State in 2024. Here's how he compares to current Buckeyes
James Peoples had the attention from programs across the country.
A four-star out of San Antonio, Texas, Peoples had offers from Alabama, Miami, Oklahoma Oregon, TCU Texas and USC, among others, all vying for the services of the 5-foot-10, 192-pound running back who recorded 1,904 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns at Veterans Memorial High School in 2022.
For running backs coach Tony Alford and the Ohio State football program, Peoples is different, coming in as the second-highest rated running back commits since 2019, coming in as the No. 69 player and No. 5 running back in the 2024 class per 247Sports composite rankings.
James Peoples commits to Ohio State Ohio State football adds Texas RB James Peoples to 2024 recruiting class
How does Peoples' recruiting rankings stand up to the scholarship running backs currently in Ohio State's room that committed to the Buckeyes out of high school? Here's a look.
Dallan Hayden
Dallan Hayden was not as heralded as past Ohio State running back commits.
Standing at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds out of Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Hayden was the No. 24-ranked running back in the 2022 class, holding offers from Illinois and Arkansas, where his brother Chase played college football, and Notre Dame, among others.
Hayden recorded back-to-back seasons of 2,000 all-purpose yards in high school and ended his career with 61 touchdowns, twice named as the Tennessee Titans Division II-AAA Mr. Football award winner.
As a freshman, Hayden saw the field at Ohio State, finishing with 553 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, including a 146-yard, three-touchdown performance against Maryland Nov. 19.
TreVeyon Henderson
TreVeyon Henderson was the player Peoples was chasing.
Henderson, a five-star in 2021, was Ohio State's highest-rated running back prospect since Beanie Wells in the 2006 recruiting class, coming in as the No. 1 running back and No. 23 player in the class after compiling over 4,000 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns as a junior in 2019.
Before choosing Ohio State, Henderson was down to a final list of Georgia, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Texas, North Carolina, Penn State, Michigan, Oklahoma and the Buckeyes.
In two seasons with Ohio State, Henderson has recorded 21 touchdowns and 1,819 rushing yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Evan Pryor
Before Henderson joined Ohio State's 2021 class in May, Ohio State already has a running back commit in four-star Evan Pryor.
Pryor came in as the sixth-ranked running back and the No. 83 player in the 2021 class, choosing Ohio State over Georgia, Penn State, North Carolina, Oklahoma and USC.
Missing the 2022 season with a knee injury, Pryor has only four games of experience for Ohio State, recording 98 rushing yards on 21 carries, including a touchdown against Akron Sept. 25, 2021.
Miyan Williams
Originally an Iowa State commit, Miyan Williams found his way into Ohio State's 2020 recruiting class.
The three-star Winton Woods High School prospect out of Cincinnati was the No. 45 running back in the 2020 class and the No. 627 player overall, holding offers from Kentucky, Michigan, Cincinnati and Rutgers, among others after rushing for 5,823 yards and 68 touchdowns in high school.
That production has turned into success for Williams at Ohio State, finishing 2022 with a team-leading 825 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging 6.7 yards per carry in his three seasons.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 2024 RB James Peoples commits to Ohio State. Here's where he fits in
