Penn State football news: Matt Campbell shouts out Ohio State transfer as fall camp star
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The Penn State Nittany Lions are preparing for the upcoming season under new head coach Matt Campbell. With fall camp underway, Campbell is getting a first look at his roster, and it sounds like one player who transferred from the Ohio State Buckeyes is making an early impression.
Reports indicate that running back James Peoples is making a name for himself at fall camp, according to Tyler Donohue of 247 Sports. Campbell is so impressed with Peoples that he didn’t hesitate to name the junior ball carrier the star of practice.
“Penn State coach Matt Campbell says Ohio State transfer running back James Peoples was a ‘star’ of practice on Wednesday,” Donohue reported.
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“James had a really special day,” Campbell said.
Peoples played two years at Ohio State but was primarily a backup. In 22 game appearances, he rushed for 541 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. Peoples didn’t help a whole lot in the passing game, though, as he totaled 11 receptions for just 48 yards. The lack of production in the passing game somewhat limits his role in the backfield.
Regardless, his usage should have an uptick at Penn State. He is likely to serve as a backup option behind projected starter Carson Hansen, and work as a change-of-pace running back for the offense.
However, if Peoples can continue looking like the star at fall camp, the 46-year-old head coach may have to give him more playing time than initially planned. Fans will have a better understanding of the pecking order in the running back position in Week 1 when Penn State takes on the Marshall Thundering Herd in a home opener.
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