The Next Great Buckeyes from the State of Texas

Credit: Stephen Leonard Buckeye Backers

The cliche is that everything is bigger in Texas, and that bodes true when it comes to Ohio State footballers from the Lone Star State.  The list of greats is the size of the state of Texas itself.

Former RB JK Dobbins is second overall in career rushing yards and the only Ohio State running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Former CB Jeff Okudah was a consensus All-American. Former QB J.T. Barrett is first overall in career passing yards and passing touchdowns. Former WR Jackson Smith-Njigba holds the record for most receiving yards in a single game and single season.

Former players WR Garrett Wilson, EDGE Baron Browning, and the man who held together the National Championship run on the offensive line, Donovan Jackson, all hail from the Lone Star State. Some would argue that even former Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers, who started his collegiate career at Ohio State, is worth mentioning.

This is an impressive list of Buckeye greats. While speaking with the media today, Texas-born RB James Peoples told Buckeye Backers why Texas boys flourish at Ohio State. “I think Texas has some of the best ball, the best athletes out there,” he said. “There are great players all around but I guess it’s a trend”. A trend, indeed. 

Peoples signed with the Buckeyes as part of the 2024 recruiting class as a highly ranked 4-star out of San Antonio Veterans Memorial High School. Despite offers from Texas, TCU, Baylor, Alabama, Oklahoma, and others, Peoples sided with the trend and culture in Columbus. Primed to be the leader in the RB room after learning from TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Junkins as a freshman, Peoples describes his game as a "one-cut slasher." He went on to agree with Henderson's comparison (from the NFL combine) of Peoples' game to that of former Buckeye RB JK Dobbins.

Buckeye Nation is looking for this trend of greatness to continue with the next group of incoming Texans. True freshmen like CB Devin Sanchez, who already looks NFL-ready, and linebacker Riley Pettijohn, who has already made a presence in the Michey Marotti strength program. Another Texan on the Buckeyes roster, LB Payton Pierce returns from last year’s title team and is a favorite of LB Coach James Laurinaitis. Last, but not least, is Rice transfer Ethan "Big E" Onianwa. The Katy, Texas native weighs in at 357 pounds and will likely cover the blindside at left tackle for the Buckeyes.

Credit: Stephen Leonard Buckeye Backers

Can the current Lone Star State Buckeyes flourish like the aforementioned Buckeyes? History says yes. Ohio State opens the upcoming season with the Texas Longhorns coming to Columbus August 30, 2025. A great test for these profound Texans in the Buckeye State.