If you’re looking for a connection between Penn State and The People’s Court judges Joseph Wapner, Ed Koch or Marilyn Milian, your best bet is probably a rerun on YouTube or MeTV.
On the football field, though, there’s a different kind of courtroom. The field is the courtroom, and the fans are the jury, delivering a verdict on every play.
The jury is still out on Penn State running back James Peoples, the transfer from Ohio State. One question continues to follow the San Antonio native wherever he goes:
Why Penn State?
“Yeah, that’s a popular question, isn’t it?” Peoples joked during Penn State’s Local Media Day.
After a quick laugh, he explained why he decided to head east.
“First off, I’m grateful for the opportunity I had where I was. But it was time for a change. When I entered the portal, Coach Campbell and Penn State showed a lot of interest in me, and I felt like I had to come here on a visit and see what it was all about.
“Right away, it just felt genuine. The coaching staff showed a lot of interest in me, and honestly, the camaraderie I saw among them is what attracted me the most. They were so connected. When you see coaches who trust each other and communicate openly like that, it builds trust in you because you know those people are genuine.
“That’s really what attracted me to Penn State – the people, how real they were, and how honest they were.”
Peoples entered the 2025 season expecting to take on a much larger role in Columbus after serving as a valuable reserve behind TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins during Ohio State’s national championship run in 2024.
Instead, the Buckeyes again turned to the transfer portal, adding former West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson. They also received a breakout season from true freshman Bo Jackson, who led Ohio State with 1,090 rushing yards.
Despite limited opportunities, Peoples made the most of his touches. According to Pro Football Focus, he averaged 7.2 yards per carry when running behind the right side of the offensive line. He earned an 80.0 rushing grade, second among Buckeye running backs, while his 83.8 overall offensive grade led the position group.
He finished third on the team with 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Now at Penn State, Peoples believes the biggest step in his development isn’t physical it is mental.
“The biggest thing he’s really emphasized with me is my football IQ.
“You can have all the physical ability in the world, but you’ve got to know what you’re doing between the ears. That’s been a huge focus for me—understanding what’s happening across the entire field, not just at my position.
“Knowing how the offensive line is blocking, what the receivers are doing, whether it’s a crack block or whatever the case may be, understanding the whole play and the entire offense allows me to play faster and with more confidence.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.That emphasis has come from running backs coach Savon Huggins, whose own playing career gives him instant credibility with his players.
Penn State’s running back room is among the deepest in the Big Ten, featuring Iowa State transfer Carson Hansen along with Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace. For Peoples, Huggins’ experience has helped him mature both as a player and as a teammate.
Huggins was once one of the nation’s top running back recruits himself, being rated by Rivals as the top running back and athlete in New Jersey in the class of 2010, and understands both the expectations and adversity that come with the position.
Peoples appreciates that perspective.
“He’s been in my shoes. He’s been through college football, and he’s been through adversity. Having a coach like that is huge because you know everything he’s telling you comes from experience. You receive it better because you know where he’s coming from.
“He’s challenged me and all of the guys in a lot of great ways. Whether it’s conditioning or pushing us to become the best version of ourselves, that’s his main objective—both on and off the field. I really appreciate him for that.
“We still have a lot of growth ahead of us, but I’m grateful for the way he approaches the game and how seriously he takes our development.”
Peoples also brings something else to Penn State: firsthand experience of winning a national championship.
That perspective has already become valuable inside the locker room.
“I’ve actually had some conversations with Coach Campbell, and I’ve talked with the team, too.
“This group has everything that championship team had. We have the leadership. We have the talent. We always talk about how talented we are, but Coach Campbell puts a huge emphasis on the fact that talent will only take you so far.
“After that, it’s about discipline. That’s what he’s really stressing with this group—how disciplined we can be. When things get harder, we have to get better. That’s been our challenge throughout camp.
“If we can climb that mountain together, I think the sky’s the limit for this team. We definitely have all the tools to get it done.”
It’s one thing to talk about winning a championship. It’s another to have experienced what it takes to reach the top.
That experience is one reason Campbell, Huggins and Peoples’ teammates value what he brings to the program.
The jury may still be out on what Peoples will accomplish on Saturdays this fall. But through the early weeks of camp, there’s little doubt he’s already making a positive impression as Penn State pursues its own championship aspirations.
