Two of the best ballcarriers in college football, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, played a tandem role out of the backfield for the Buckeyes. Each rushed for more than 1,000 yards while averaging 5.5 yards or more per carry behind an offensive line that shuffled several times.

Both are off to the NFL as projected first- or second-day picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Like many positions from Ohio State’s senior-laden national-title-winning squad, the Buckeyes now have no returning starters at running back. The only upperclassman in the room entering 2025 spring practice is a transfer, as no player who rushed for at least 200 yards returns for the Buckeyes.

While Carlos Locklyn’s room will take a step back from its rarified combo last year, Ohio State could still have a formidable backfield this season, especially if sophomore James Peoples makes a leap. His strides and the readiness of his fellow youngsters will be key storylines to watch at running back this spring.

In line to start: James Peoples, CJ Donaldson

Donaldson is much easier to project than Peoples. The West Virginia transfer has a multi-year track record as he comes to Ohio State.

In 2023, Donaldson had 171 carries for 798 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. In 2024, Donaldson had 163 carries for 734 yards (4.5 per carry) and 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound bull has never fumbled in 421 career carries and will be a consistent downhill and short-yardage option.

Peoples is where the highest upside of the duo lies. Players often make a big jump from year one to year two and the Texas product entered Columbus with plenty of recruiting pedigree as the No. 115 overall prospect and No. 8 running back in the 247Sports composite.

After the transfer of former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden to Colorado, he quickly emerged as the team’s No. 3 back last season and was the fifth member of his recruiting class to shed his black stripe. After impressing in preseason camp practices open to the media, Peoples collected 197 yards on 49 carries (four per carry) and two touchdowns while taking off his training wheels. 

“I didn’t redshirt, they let me get the experience under my belt and I’m very grateful for that,” Peoples told Eleven Warriors at Ohio State’s CFP media day. “That’s going to be big to help get me ready for this upcoming year. There’s a lot of things ahead of me and a lot of things to come. But I’m staying patient and when that time comes, I’m going to take it.”

The 5-foot-10 Peoples has burst and agility in his running style but has shown an ability to keep his legs churning through contact, too. He’s got the potential to break out as a star for Ohio State, but that starts with a great set of spring practices.

The depth

Things were looking a touch thin for Ohio State at running back, where it dodged the injury bug in 2024 after injuries hindered the position room during swaths of the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Then redshirt freshman Sam Williams-Dixon withdrew from the transfer portal 10 days ago and suddenly the Buckeyes were back to six scholarship running backs, including five for spring practice.

The three-star Ohio product will try to compete for carries alongside Donaldson and Peoples. The versatility in Williams-Dixon’s game could aid his chances of earning playing time, as his high school receiving track record was almost as impressive as his rushing one. He scored 41 touchdowns as a junior for West Holmes before missing significant time with Pickerington North as a senior.

Ohio State will also have three freshman running backs on scholarship this year. Four-star prospect Bo Jackson and three-star Isaiah West will get their feet wet this spring as midyear enrollees while four-star Anthony “Turbo” Rogers arrives in the summer.

Freshman to watch: Bo Jackson

Jackson will have eyes on him for his name alone, which he shares with one of the most interesting, versatile and gifted athletes of the 1980s. While the teenage Jackson doesn’t have ambitions of becoming both an MLB All-Star and NFL Pro Bowler, he’s got the talent to make an impact early at Ohio State.

The 160th-ranked prospect in the 2025 composite rankings rushed for over 1,700 yards as a junior before a season-ending injury wiped out most of his senior campaign. But the Cleveland product has next-level burst and top-end speed to create explosive plays along with the strength to be effective between the tackles. His high school, Villa Angela-St. Joseph, also made frequent use of him out of the backfield as a receiver.

Since Jackson is on campus for spring practice, he’ll have an opportunity to push for immediate playing time in year one, especially since the Buckeyes don’t have any returning starters on the depth chart in front of him.