Let's be real for a second. Replacing two 1,000-yard rushers in a single offseason is usually the kind of thing that makes a coaching staff reach for the extra-strength ibuprofen. But for the Buckeyes, the departure of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL isn't the disaster you might think. Honestly, the 2025 Ohio State running back situation feels more like a deliberate evolution than a desperate rebuild.
You've probably spent the last few years getting used to the "lightning and lightning" approach. Last season was a masterclass in shared workloads, with Judkins putting up 1,060 yards and Henderson following close behind with 1,016. They were the engine that drove Ohio State to that 2024 national title. Now, both are on Sunday rosters—Judkins with the Browns and Henderson with the Patriots—leaving a massive statistical vacuum in Columbus.
So, who actually gets the rock now? It's not just one guy, and that’s basically the point of how Ryan Day and Carlos Locklyn have built this room.
The New 1A/1B: James Peoples and CJ Donaldson Jr.
If you followed the 2024 season closely, you saw flashes of James Peoples. He was the only scholarship back to stick around from that roster once the portal madness settled. Peoples is a Texas kid with a low center of gravity and that "slippery" quality that makes him incredibly hard to bring down on the first contact. He didn't get a ton of carries behind the two giants last year, but when he did, he averaged four yards a pop and looked like he belonged.
But the real wild card is CJ Donaldson Jr.
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Bringing him in from West Virginia via the portal was a savvy move. He's a mountain of a man—6'2" and over 230 pounds. If Peoples is the scalpel, Donaldson is the sledgehammer. At West Virginia, he was a touchdown machine, and he brings that gritty, Big 12 physical identity to a Big Ten backfield that sometimes gets accused of being too "finesse."
Most insiders expect a split that looks very similar to what we saw last year. It keeps legs fresh for the fourth quarter, which is sort of the holy grail for modern offensive coordinators.
Why the Depth Chart is Weirder Than Usual
Usually, you have a clear starter, a clear backup, and then a bunch of guys waiting for a blowout to see the field. The current Ohio State running back room is much flatter than that. Behind the "big two," you have a trio of freshmen who aren't exactly content with just watching from the sidelines.
- Bo Jackson: No, not that Bo Jackson, but the Cleveland native plays with a similar level of "get out of my way." He’s a big-bodied back who could easily steal short-yardage carries from Donaldson if he adjusts to the speed of the game quickly enough.
- Anthony "Turbo" Rogers: The name isn't just marketing. He's 5'8" and pure electricity. You'll likely see him used in the return game or on those wide-toss plays where he can just outrun an angle.
- Isaiah West: A late addition from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philly. He’s a high-IQ runner who does the "little things"—pass protection and catching out of the backfield—that usually keep freshmen on the bench.
The Carlos Locklyn Factor
We have to talk about the coaching change because it fundamentally changed how these guys run. When Carlos Locklyn took over as the running backs coach, he brought a specific philosophy: "You either hunt or you're the prey."
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You could see the shift in TreVeyon Henderson's game last year. He became more violent. He stopped dancing in the hole and started hitting it with a purpose. That's the DNA he’s tattooing onto the current group. People often forget that coaching isn't just about drawing plays; it's about the psychological shift in how a player approaches a 300-pound defensive tackle.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Room
The biggest misconception? That Ohio State will struggle to run the ball because they don't have a "superstar" yet.
Here’s the thing: the Buckeyes’ offensive line in 2025 is actually more settled than it was at the start of the championship run. With guys like Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman having significant experience now, the "rushing floor" for any Ohio State running back is incredibly high. You don't need a Heisman finalist to get 5 yards a carry when the holes are four feet wide.
Also, don't sleep on the passing game's impact. With Jeremiah Smith attracting double teams every single snap, the boxes are going to be light. If you’re James Peoples and you see six men in the box, you’re licking your chops.
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Actionable Insights for the 2025 Season
If you're looking at how this backfield affects the Buckeyes' chances this year, keep an eye on these three specific indicators:
- The Carry Split: If one guy starts getting 20+ carries while the other gets 5, it means someone isn't hitting their assignments in pass pro. Locklyn won't play a back who can't protect the QB.
- Red Zone Personnel: Watch for CJ Donaldson in the "heavy" sets. His ability to convert 3rd-and-short will be the difference between field goals and touchdowns in the big games against Michigan and Oregon.
- Freshman Usage: If Anthony Rogers is getting snaps in the first quarter of close games, it means his speed is too good to keep under wraps. That's a "problem" any coach would love to have.
The transition from the Judkins-Henderson era to the Peoples-Donaldson era might feel jarring at first. But the talent is there. The coaching is there. And frankly, the chip on their shoulder from being labeled a "rebuilding" room is probably the best thing that could have happened to them.
Watch the first few drives of the season opener. If the Buckeyes can establish the interior run early, the rest of the Big Ten is in for a long, long Saturday.
Next Steps for Following the Buckeyes:
Keep a close eye on the official availability reports released two hours before kickoff. With a room this deep, minor "nicks" often lead to a completely different lead back for specific weeks. Additionally, watch the snap counts for the younger backs during non-conference play; those early games will dictate who earns the trust of the staff for the late-November stretch.