The 2025 class is shaped to be loaded with top-tier running backs.
Ohio State believes in-state prospect Marquise Davis could one of them. Davis is one of eight running backs the Buckeyes have offered in the 2025 cycle and the second one from Ohio, with Bo Jackson (again, great tailback name) being the other.
OSU offered the Cleveland product after a strong sophomore season, with running backs coach Tony Alford offering Davis on Jan. 26.
“It was pretty exciting,” Davis told Eleven Warriors about receiving the offer. “As soon as I got it, I was just thinking about, like, how would it be at Ohio State? Because I can just imagine myself there.”
After a great talk with @CoachTonyAlford I am blessed to receive my 14th D1 offer from OHIO state university #skobucks @MacStephens @CoachNewton2 @SWiltfong247 @Rivals_Clint @On3Recruits @AllenTrieu @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/tpUVSygYa3
— Marquise Davis (@rlyquise) January 26, 2023
Like many prospects in Ohio, Davis grew up a Buckeye fan, so receiving the Ohio State offer meant a little more to him.
“It was pretty special,” Davis said. “Because growing up, we’ve all been rooting for Ohio State. And that’s like one of my favorite schools. Especially because I live in Ohio, and my parents like Ohio State a lot too.”
Last season for Cleveland Heights, Davis ran for 869 yards on 74 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore en route to helping his team to a 10-2 record. So far, he’s picked up 14 Division I offers.
“My greatest strength is my speed because I can get away from guys really fast,” Davis said.”
Considering Davis is just finishing his sophomore year in school, Alford can’t directly contact him until Sept. 1, but the 6-foot, 190-pound product says he has a close relationship with Ohio State’s running backs coach.
“I've known him pretty well,” Davis said of his relationship with Alford. “Not as much as I can. But I know him pretty well. We have a good bond. I’m pretty excited (for September) because I’d like to talk to him as much as I can.”
Davis has been a frequent visitor to OSU, visiting Columbus five times thus far as a recruit, the most recent trip coming in December for a bowl practice.
“It was cool. The practice was real efficient,” Davis said of his December visit. “There was a lot of stuff that was real, like, stuff that you wouldn't see in a regular practice at any other college. So I will say it is different from many others.”
Davis said he plans on returning to Ohio State in the spring for a practice.
“They’re most definitely top three,” Davis said of where Ohio State ranks at the moment in his recruitment. “I’m looking for who plays freshmen, like teams that play the best players, because I believe I can work into a spot,” Davis said. “Because my work ethic is like no other. I know that’s said a lot and everything, but I know how to work for a spot and prove myself.”
James Peoples will visit OSU in late spring
One of Ohio State’s top running back targets in the class of 2024 has confirmed he’s planning on taking a spring visit to Columbus. Four-star Texas running back James Peoples told Eleven Warriors Monday he plans on visiting Ohio State from March 30-April 1.
“Ultimately, I'll be looking for how I feel with the coaching staff,” Peoples said regarding what he’s looking forward to regarding the visit. “Overall, not just coach Alford, but in person with coach Day and coach Hartline and those coaches, you know. Is it a family kind of atmosphere, what type of things are they talking about, do these things align with what I'm feeling? I'll also be looking for like, environment, things around the campus, you know, the people in the campus, I will be asking in-depth questions while I'm there to be able to figure out where I fit in, in this picture. And you know, just get an outlook on the university.”
Peoples’ spring visit to Ohio State will be his second as a recruit, as he made his first trip to campus earlier this summer for a recruiting camp. The 5-foot-10, 192-pound running back picked up his offer from the Buckeyes in October and helped lead Veterans Memorial High School (San Antonio, Texas) to a 9-4 record last year.
Eleven Warriors will have more on Peoples’ recruitment with Ohio State later in the week on Thursday.
Dennis visiting Columbus March 7
A three-star 2024 offensive line prospect will be making another visit to Ohio State when spring practices begin. Michigan offensive lineman Andrew Dennis will make his trek to OSU on March 7, the 6-foot-5, 275-pound prospect confirmed via social media.
I will be back at The Ohio State March 7th!!! @ryandaytime @CoachJFrye @CoachSollenne @etwill21 @N_Murph pic.twitter.com/tz68lYKgrO
— Andrew (AJ) Dennis (@andrewdennis_08) February 5, 2023
Dennis visited Ohio State for the first time for the Iowa game in October.
“It was awesome,” Dennis told Eleven Warriors after his visit. “I really liked the people there and liked how everyone was held accountable at all times. Coach Frye was still coaching his guys even when they were up 54-10 with the second string in. The energy they have is so high, everybody is into it and locked in the whole time. The gameday atmosphere is nuts, and seeing how loud everyone gets is awesome.”
Go Buckeyes!!! pic.twitter.com/4xQfZRLc4s
— Andrew (AJ) Dennis (@andrewdennis_08) October 24, 2022
Dennis does not yet hold an Ohio State offer, but has picked up 13 Division I offers in total, including from Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Louisville and Missouri.
