Ohio State football fans have plenty to be excited about as the team's 2025 season takes shape, especially with what appears to be a formidable backfield lineup. If the spring game is any indication, the Buckeyes are poised to unleash a ground game that could prove vital in their quest for dominance this year.
The dynamic quartet of running backs—James Peoples, CJ Donaldson, Bo Jackson, and Sam Williams-Dixon—combined for an impressive 193 yards on just 30 carries during the spring game. That averages out to an impressive 6.4 yards per carry. What's really intriguing is that a lot of this production came from Jackson and Williams-Dixon, who are currently pegged as the third and fourth in the rotation, nestled behind Peoples and Donaldson.
Head Coach Ryan Day is feeling confident about the state of the running back room after spring practice. "I feel solid about where we're at, but I know this has to be a big sprint," Day shared post-game.
"I feel like we have what we need there. We just need to continue to build.”
James Peoples, in particular, stands out as a player with tremendous potential. While the spring game wasn't the platform for him to showcase everything in his arsenal, his stock has been rising throughout spring practice.
Former Buckeye standout TreVeyon Henderson has even drawn comparisons between Peoples and legendary Ohio State back J.K. Dobbins, both hailing from Texas.
Entering his sophomore season, Peoples is just beginning to fill the lofty shoes left by Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
"I think James has a chance to be a special back," Day said, acknowledging Peoples' role. "But still just hasn't played a whole bunch of football.
But he's got great energy. He's really matured.
He's very coachable. He's seen the way it's supposed to look.
He knows what the standard is.”
James Peoples is driven to excel, with running backs coach Carlos Locklyn describing him as “pushing to be great.” However, in the spring game, his opportunities were limited to a couple of carries, resulting in just 6 yards.
On the other hand, CJ Donaldson made the most of his limited touches, tallying 35 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Donaldson, known for his powerful running style, has been refining his game by shedding some weight this offseason to gain that extra burst of speed. With productive stints at West Virginia under his belt, Donaldson's combination of power and agility makes him a compelling threat in the backfield.
“I look at him as a slasher,” Locklyn said about Donaldson back in March, highlighting his speed and ability to break through defenses. "Got really good feet for a big guy.
Really good hands and good vision. So (the weight loss is) gonna help him a little bit with probably his longer speed, but he is good.”
Then there's Bo Jackson, who turned heads during the spring game with his standout performance. Known for his explosive runs, he made a memorable 27-yard gain and showed his ability to shake off tackles with a 20-yard counter play.
Jackson wrapped up the game as the leading rusher with 88 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. As a freshman, he's quickly making a case for more playing time.
“He's a hard worker,” Peoples said of Jackson. “He came in here and just kept his head down, just been working.
He has good speed, of course, good feet. He’s a good back and a good dude as well.”
Rounding out this potent quartet is Sam Williams-Dixon, whose 11 carries accounted for 64 yards, complemented by a receiving touchdown on a wheel route. While the competition for reps is fierce, Williams-Dixon has shown he has the skills to contribute significantly.
With the depth and talent showcased in these top four backs, it's clear why Coach Day believes his team is well-equipped to tackle the challenges ahead. The upcoming season promises an exhilarating display of gridiron action from the Buckeyes' backfield, as they set their sights on taking college football by storm.
