James Peoples, a sophomore running back who contributed to Ohio State’s 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship victory, has transferred to Penn State, the Nittany Lions confirmed Tuesday. The move comes after Peoples saw his role diminish with the Buckeyes during the 2025 season.
Peoples announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on January 2, following Ohio State’s CFP Playoff loss to Miami, and committed to Penn State on January 6, according to reports. He will be eligible to play for the Nittany Lions in the 2026 season.
During the 2025 season, Peoples appeared in 10 games for Ohio State, recording 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 61 carries. He also added 10 receptions for 50 yards. Though, his playing time decreased as the season progressed, and he did not have any carries in the Buckeyes’ final three games. The emergence of freshmen Bo Jackson and Isaiah West contributed to Peoples falling to fourth on the running back depth chart, according to Eleven Warriors.
Peoples initially joined the Buckeyes as a four-star recruit in the class of 2024, choosing Ohio State over offers from several prominent programs, including Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and USC. As a freshman in 2024, he played in eight games, rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 49 carries.
At Penn State, Peoples joins a team needing to fill a void at running back following the departure of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. Latest Penn State head coach Matt Campbell will be looking to Peoples to contribute immediately. Peoples is the second player to transfer from Ohio State to a Big Ten opponent this year, joining Bryce West, who committed to Wisconsin.
Ohio State and Penn State are not scheduled to play in 2026, marking the first time since 1992 they will not meet on the field, barring a postseason matchup.
Peoples, a San Antonio, Texas native, attended Veterans Memorial High School where he recorded 1,263 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore, and 1,904 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior.
