Penn State’s 2026 roster will look familiar, though just not to Penn State fans. Iowa State fans will know many of the names contributing to Matt Campbell’s Nittany Lions in his first season at the helm in Happy Valley, with 23 incoming transfers from Ames.
However, not every player that Campbell and his general manager Derek Hoodjer have added in college football’s lone transfer portal window is a former Cyclone. They’ve gone outside their old roster to add talent, and that poll may include a Big Ten running back poised to be a breakout star.
Former Ohio State running back James Peoples is full of untapped potential
Despite being born in Germany and growing up in Texas, James Peoples was a lifelong Ohio State fan. That’s why the 2024 four-star chose the Buckeyes when he entered college football as the No. 8 running back in the country. However, after two years in Columbus, Peoples had to cut ties with his favorite team for the chance at increased playing time and found his way to Penn State.
As a true freshman, Peoples was stuck behind the most talented running back duo in the country on Ohio State’s national championship run, TreVeyon Henderson and QuinShon Judkins, who both went on to be second-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s no surprise he didn’t crack the rotation then. But this year was supposed to be his opportunity.
Peoples entered 2025 seemingly in a time share with WVU transfer CJ Donaldson, a veteran short-yardage back known for his physicality. The 5-foot-10, 206-pound Peoples saw 10 carries in Week 1 vs. Texas, but ended with just 20 yards. Gradually, after that performance, he was phased out of the backfield in favor of true freshman Bo Jackson. Yet, even with a limited role, he still averaged 5.6 yards per attempt, racking up 344 yards and three touchdowns.
Now, Jackson is presumably locked into the RB1 role for at least two more seasons at Ohio State, but even after transferring to Penn State, Peoples isn’t guaranteed the lion’s share of the touches. Before landing Peoples, Campbell also added last year’s lead back at Iowa State, Carson Hansen, a physical chain-mover like Donaldson who went for 952 yards and six touchdowns on 188 carries for the Cyclones in 2025.
As Ohio State planned to do with Donaldson, Penn State will pair Peoples with Hansen, creating a classic lightning and thunder dynamic. Yes, it’s absolutely a concern that Peoples lost out to Jackson last year, and signing an Ohio State castoff conjures visions of Julian Fleming’s brutal 2024 campaign in Happy Valley.
However, Peoples is obviously talented. He's explosive, tough to bring down, and has solid vision. And his struggles against Texas make more sense in hindsight, considering that Ohio State’s offensive line got exposed against Indiana and Miami in the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff.
It’s not a guarantee, but if I had to bet on any of Penn State’s incoming transfers having a breakout year, I’d put my money on Peoples.