Penn State football's running back room, like many other positions on the roster, underwent some changes in the offseason due to Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen departing for the NFL and head coach Matt Campbell taking over the Nittany Lions.
Though the pass game is trending upwards for the blue and white with quarterback Rocco Becht under center and more wide receiver weapons to target, that doesn't mean the run game just disappears. Penn State still has a very talented running back room with returning rushers Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace battling for that RB3 role and transfers Carson Hansen and James Peoples.
Hansen is Campbell's reliable former Cyclone, but Peoples has stood out to the new head coach in more ways than one since fall camp started. It's competitive in that running back room, and Peoples is finding a way to stand out.
Following the practice week, Campbell commented on Peoples' rushing and scoring abilities, but that wasn't the highlight of his performance. Rather, he told reporters that his blocking was impressive.
“I think the biggest thing I would say about (Peoples) is there were two critical pass blitz situations and he had the ability to step up and have huge what I would say touchdown throw blocks on pressures," Campbell said Friday.
Yesterday, Matt Campbell described running back James Peoples as the “star” of Wednesday’s practice.
— Basic Blues Nation (@basicblues) August 14, 2026
But what the Ohio State transfer did to stand out didn’t involve having the ball in his hands:
"We would say great tailbacks that we’ve always had can do three things really… pic.twitter.com/BQpHRuMzh8
Matt Campbell commends running back James Peoples on his versatility as a rusher and blocker
At Ohio State in 2025 as a sophomore, Peoples had 61 carries for 344 yards and three touchdowns. Those aren't necessarily wowing numbers by any means, but he also wasn't the bell cow of the backfield. Bo Jackson was the main guy for the Buckeyes with C.J. Donaldson Jr. and Peoples getting out there in rotation.
Creating a solid foundation in that running back room is what Peoples helped head coach Ryan Day accomplish, and it's what he's doing in Happy Valley now, too.
"We would say great tailbacks that we’ve always had can do three things really well: they can run the ball, but they got to be able to catch the ball in the backfield. But most importantly, they got to be able to pass protect, or you can’t keep them in the game," Campbell continued. "And I thought he had a really all-around great day yesterday.”
Blocking has clearly been a point of emphasis for Campbell and his staff. Campbell previously shared with media that he and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser plan on using their loaded tight end room to their advantage with a variety of personnel groupings.
Pass catchers and ball carriers can't be one trick ponies, and Peoples is proving very quickly in camp that he's not. Being useful as a blocker opens up a lot of options for Becht. It's not always about getting the most touches or yards; it's about finding ways to win and putting your body on the line to do so. If that willingness from Peoples continues, expect to see him take on a much more prominent role on offense this season.
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