James Peoples is “officially” a Buckeye.
Ohio State removed the freshman running back’s black stripe on Friday, making him one of five members of the 2024 recruiting class to shed their stripes so far.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 9, 2024
The RB room adding an elite talent out of Texas, Welcome to the brotherhood, @James_peoples17 pic.twitter.com/6KJAQuRZtd
Peoples loses his black stripe on the same day as defensive end Eddrick Houston as they collectively become the fourth and fifth members of Ohio State’s 2024 class to have their stripes removed. The first three freshmen to lose their black stripes this year were wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, quarterback Julian Sayin and safety Jaylen McClain.
| Player | Pos | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEREMIAH SMITH | WR | MARCH 21 | FRESHMAN |
| BRENNEN SCHRAMM | WR | MARCH 21 | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN |
| CALEB DOWNS | S | MARCH 26 | SOPHOMORE |
| QUINSHON JUDKINS | RB | MARCH 26 | JUNIOR |
| WILL HOWARD | QB | MARCH 30 | GRADUATE |
| SETH MCLAUGHLIN | OL | MARCH 30 | GRADUATE |
| WILL KACMAREK | TE | APRIL 5 | REDSHIRT JUNIOR |
| WILL SMITH JR. | DT | APRIL 5 | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN |
| JULIAN SAYIN | QB | APRIL 8 | FRESHMAN |
| JAYLEN MCCLAIN | S | AUGUST 7 | FRESHMAN |
| EDDRICK HOUSTON | DE | AUGUST 9 | FRESHMAN |
| JAMES PEOPLES | RB | AUGUST 9 | FRESHMAN |
A four-star recruit from San Antonio, Texas, Peoples is currently in line to be Ohio State’s No. 3 running back this season behind TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. The first-year running back has been impressive in preseason practices that have been open to the media, and his stripe removal is another indicator that he is ready to contribute as needed in a unit that’s thin on veteran depth.
“I feel very confident because of the intensity of practice that we've been through, with (running backs coach Carlos Locklyn) and how much they enforce and push us past our limit, I feel like if they call my number, I'll definitely be ready,” Peoples said when asked if he’s confident he’ll be ready to play as a freshman. “And the more we go through fall camp, that just gets me more and more ready for whenever my number's called.”
