Quick Hits: James Peoples Says He’s a “Totally Different” Running Back Entering 2025, CJ Donaldson Calls the Buckeyes’ Ballcarriers “Explosive”

During a press conference on the Woody Hayes Athletic Center indoor practice field, Carlos Locklyn said the Buckeyes' ballcarriers are ready to take the torch from last year’s second-round NFL draft picks and carve their own path to success in 2025.

"Last year was last year," Locklyn said. "Those kids, they're not Q and Trey. They're themselves. That's how I want to be, themselves. That's it. I don't want them to be nobody else but themselves. ... They gotta fill their own shoes, and those things will settle themselves."

James Peoples, CJ Donaldson, Sam Dixon and Bo Jackson also met with the media on Friday. We have collected their best comments and quotes below.

Carlos Locklyn

“We are competing out there every day. If you think you've arrived in that room, you're gonna get your feelings hurt. Because I'm gonna make sure I humble them. You got to come to work every day. If you don't humble yourself, I will.”– Carlos Locklyn on the competition in his running back room

• Carlos Locklyn doesn't see James Peoples and CJ Donaldson as the only contributors in his running back room. “Everybody keeps saying it’s two different guys, but it’s six guys. You better compete every day. You keep saying it’s two different guys, but ain’t nobody in that room that’s right. They ain’t done a damn thing here yet. They need to come out where it’s, ‘I got to compete. I got to come out to work every day. Because ain’t nothing going to be given here.’”
• When asked how comfortable he feels about all six running backs being contributors, Locklyn said, “Them things take care of themselves. If all six are good, all six will play. Because if they’re good enough, they’re what? They’re old enough. You put them on the field.”
• On James Peoples entering his second season: “He’s more knowledgeable of the game, but that comes with coaching. He knows the things he’s still got to work on, but nobody has played meaningful minutes in a game yet, so I can’t really tell you — we all assume what it will be (for them). That ain’t my mindset; that’s not his mindset. He better work every day. I’ve seen growth in how he prepares, being on time for meetings. … I see him trying to grow as a leader.”

James Peoples

“I’m totally different. Through training and the guys I sat behind, I just learned from them. I’ve gotten faster, stronger, quicker — everything has just taken another level up.”– James Peoples on how he's improved entering Year 2

• Peoples said a lot of offensive linemen have stood out to him during preseason camp, namely Austin Siereveld and Minnesota transfer Philip Daniels.
• On Siereveld: “He’s taking a step. We lost Donovan Jackson, who was a huge part of our O-line last year. But because of that, guys have stepped up. He’s been a leader, being vocal. He’s been pushing himself harder and harder. Went to workouts through the summer, now fall camp, he’s really been a leader in that O-line room. You can see how he’s developing, too.”
• On Daniels: “He’s going to be a dog.”
• On Ethan Onianwa: “Ethan, big dog. He’s big, man. Like I said, guys have got to get acclimated to Ohio State, but he’s having a good fall camp so far, too, and pushing himself. You can see the growth, how these guys have been coming along.”
• Peoples said he and Donaldson call themselves “Sonic and Knuckles,” a nickname based on characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. Sonic is a blue hedgehog known for his incredible speed, while Knuckles is a red echidna renowned for his strength.

CJ Donaldson

“Whoever out there, all of us in this room, we’re all explosive. We all play as one. That's something Coach Lock emphasizes. We all dress the same. We look the same because we’re gonna talk the same language. And we all go play as one.”– CJ Donaldson on splitting carries atop Ohio State’s running back depth chart

• On getting his black stripe removed: “I definitely had to earn it. That's one thing Coach Lock told me when I got here, everything I do, I'm going to have to earn it. So it meant a lot. To have an opportunity to be a part of his brotherhood is very special, to be an Ohio State Buckeye.”
• On his weight loss since transferring from West Virginia: “It definitely helps a lot. I can accelerate a lot faster right now. I think I weighed in today at like 227. It feels great not having all that body fat on me. It allows me to play more downs and be more explosive.”
• Donaldson is prepared to make plays catching the ball out of the backfield and protecting Ohio State quarterbacks when needed. “Being a three-phase back, that's something I'm definitely striving to be. Be better at catching the ball and be better at pass protection. Just any way I can help the team out, that's just what I'm here for.”

Sam Dixon

“For me, it's competitive excellence. Like, making a play when my number's called, and when my number's called, just getting out there and just doing what I do.” – Sam Dixon on what he believes would be a successful season for him.

• Dixon said last fall camp, he wasn’t sure what to expect on the field but things have slowed down for him this year and he’s more excited than ever and having fun on the field.
• Dixon says he’s impressed by CJ Donaldson’s power, edge and grit.
• Dixon says Ohio State’s running back room is very deep and each of them push each other to be the best possible versions of themselves.
• Reflecting on the lessons he learned from TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins last season, Dixon said both helped him “grow up” and carry himself the right way.

Bo Jackson

“I’m just working as hard as I can to get better. … Just looking up to all the leaders, the leadership, and keep working as hard as I can.”– Bo Jackson on his mentality entering his freshman season

• Jackson said most of his work in preseason camp has come on the scout team and special teams, which includes the complete range of kickoff and kickoff return, punt and punt return.
• On Locklyn’s coaching style: “Coach Lock is very intense. Every time you do something good, he picks you up just as much as when you mess up. He gets on you.”
• Jackson said Kayden McDonald has stood out to him in preseason camp. “Just his presence. His presence is always there. You always feel him 3 yards back, right in the middle.” Jackson said you can hear McDonald on the field, too. “He’ll let you know about it.”