Oregon Continues Push Into Texas After RB James Peoples

The Ducks signed two strong running back recruits in 2023 and have some elite options in 2024.

2024 San Antonio (Tex.) Veteran's Memorial running back James Peoples placed the Oregon Ducks in his final six schools last week. 

The No. 6 running back in the country spoke with Ducks Digest as he weighs his options and plans out what's next in his recruitment.

#AGTG Beyond blessed to be in this position, I am now down to MY FINAL 6 Schools!!!

@Bill Kurelic @JamesCrepea @SWiltfong247 @ParkerThune@BHoward 11 @247Hudson@Fhall565Hall @InsideTexas
@BrandonDrumm247
@RTRnews@NebraskaOnBTN @JClarkHFB247 @JamesCrepea pic.twitter.com/5C71XvrBLt

— James (@James_peoples17) February 9, 2023

The 5-foot-11, 196-pounder took visits to Texas and Oklahoma in January, two schools that have solid momentum in his recruitment. 

He'll get out to see each of his six finalists before making his decision and plans to take official visits closer to the summer. For now, he has one visit locked in.

"I do have a solidified date which is March 30 through April 1 with Ohio State," Peoples said. "It's going to be a multi-day visit."

Peoples has more than 20 scholarship offers but feels like he has a good handle on which schools are sticking out.

"The process it does get a little stressful. I'm really grateful for it all but in my mind I think I already had an idea of the schools that I knew I was really looking at, really locked in on."

The talented Texas product shared some insight on his interest in each of the program's he's taking a hard look at.

Carlos Locklyn's plan at Oregon 

"Coach Lock, really special coach. He's very special because of how he pours into me as a person and lets me know the life after football, how to nurture and grow a person to be a successful person or whatever they will be after football. Really look forward to getting up to Eugene and spending that time, seeing what they can offer there. He has a special process over there, why he's so successful at his job and getting backs to the league. I'm looking forward to seeing how he's gonna go about that this year and possibly being a school I can see myself at."

History stands out at Ohio State

"Their coaching staff is great top to bottom. Me and Coach (Tony) Alford we hit it off with everything. He breaks the game down really for me. The environment at Columbus is great. They have a great history winning and producing people to the league, also backs in the league. Overall special program. My family's up in Ohio--Cleveland and Youngstown."

All gas no brakes at Texas

"The energy at the Lone Star State is great. It is definitely all gas no brakes. When I go there it's always high energy, high intensity. Coach (Tashard) Choice he really does carry around that all gas no brakes. He keeps it real with you. Not just his knowledge of the game but his intent and how much he cares about you and your success. I love talking with Coach Sark. They come down often whenever they can see me to get eyes on me and talk to me and see how I work. Texas is right up the road."

TCU on the rise after playoff run

"The coaching staff, getting in there (college football playoff) for their first year was awesome. They proved the whole season that they are a team that can contend with the best of the best. Coach (Anthony) Jones, he's really big on the person more than the athlete. He also develops back, you look at what he did at Memphis, he got four backs into the league. They're on the rise right now."

The Bama factor

"They're huge of course on their history and their production of running backs. Their development factor is very special. It proves that you'll be a successful back if you put the work in and buy into what they're doing. They're a team I'm growing a relationship with and every day getting closer with, so looking forward to learning more about them."

Being a part of Brent Venables' Mission at Oklahoma

"OU, special, special place over there. Coach Venables is on a mission over there. He calls it soul mission which is pouring into the person, bigger than the athlete. The coaching staff there is huge on family, I'm huge on family as well. Coach Murray, him being a former running back that went to Oklahoma and went to the league and had a really successful career, he knows what it takes. I'll be taking an official visit to them I know for a fact this late spring or summer."

Alabama and Oregon are the only schools Peoples has yet to see in person, so those trips figure to carry significant weight in his decision.

As he prepares to hit the road in March he has an ideal timeframe for a commitment.

"Preferably before my senior football season I'd like to get locked in on one program," Peoples said. "But if I don't feel lead or feel like it's somewhere I can stay for four years or I'm not there to make a decision yet I won't push it."

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