Penn State football hit big on Tuesday with a commitment from an Ohio State running back transfer. He was one of the three targets head coach Matt Campbell had his sights set on.
Matt Campbell is casting a wide net to replace the Lawn Boyz in the transfer portal
The Buckeyes turned to Bo Jackson in 2025 as their main rusher, pushing running back James Peoples to the sidelines. With Ohio State out of the College Football Playoff and the Transfer Portal open, Peoples parted ways with the Nittany Lions' Big Ten foe.
BREAKING: Ohio State transfer RB James Peoples has Committed to Penn State, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 7, 2026
The 5’10 209 RB will have 2 years of eligibility remaining
“God Has Spoken Let’s Do It Nittany Nation #WeAre”https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/vre4HNN6Y1
Running back James Peoples commits to Penn State, transfers out of Ohio State
"I wanted to say I'm grateful for my time at The Ohio State and the lifetime relationships built during these past 2 years thanks Buckeye Nation," Peoples wrote in his response to On3's Hayes Fawcett's Tiwtter/X post. "'But' With That Being Said WE ARE!"
Peoples has two years of eligibility remaining. While not seeing significant time on the field, his flashes show promise and can be essential in a Penn State programming currently rebuilding.
He played in 14 games as a sophomore, registering 61 carries for 344 yards and three touchdowns. He had an additional 10 catches for 50 receiving yards. Peoples' last carry came against Rutgers in the regular season on Nov. 22, though he made appearances in Ohio State's final three games, including the Big Ten Championship and CRP Quarterfinal against Miami.
Over his two seasons and 22 games as a Buckeye, Peoples logged 110 carries for 541 yards and five scores.
Peoples is a former four-star recruit from the Class of 2024. The San Antonio, Tex. native was the eighth-ranked running back from his class and 115th overall recruit, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He was in high demand across Power Four schools, especially those in the Big Ten. Peoples picked up offers from Penn State, Oregon, Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan State, USC, and Ohio State.
He joins a shallow running back room as Campbell seeks more transfers. Iowa State running back Carson Hansen committed to the Nittany Lions, following his head coach to Happy Valley, and rusher Quinton Martin Jr. announced his return for the 2026 season for the blue and white.