‘Vision is the greatest attribute‘: Ohio State’s standout Running back James People’s secret formula to get where he’s at currently. A quick ability to get on the nerves of opponents, and make important decisions flawlessly coupled with his prowess with his leg into the field, made him a bona fide star in the making. The San Antonio native brought out his elite high school experiences as a gifted athlete to Ohio State in April 2024. The logical jump to the home of the Buckeyes was one of the thousand of his parents’ choices that made absolute sense in the long run. While Peoples loves to make self-assured decisions on the field, when it comes to his life and career, the young lad rightfully leaves it to his father, former Cleveland Heights’ QB, James Peoples Sr, and mother, track and field HOF Nakisha’s acumen and comes out a gainer.

Meet James Peoples Sr. and Nakisha Peoples: great athletes, greater parents

Like any other parent, James Peoples Sr. and Nakisha Peoples wanted to see their child at the top of his league since he was a tiny kid. They provided all the material and emotional comfort a kid craves for top-notch fostering all along, but the brownie point was the long-standing experiences and lessons they gained from their respective professional sports careers. James Peoples Sr. made a distinct identity as a former QB at Cleveland Heights (1997) while mom, Nakisha Peoples shined out as a Hall of Fame Track and Field Athlete belonging to Thiel College.

James as a kid had an unfaded memory of cheering loudly for the Buckeyes even when he had yet to develop any sound judgment on football, it was just a child mimicking his parents in innocent bliss. Later, as the days passed by, James Sr’s military transfer propelled them to come to Texas in 2009, but Ohio State imprinted a long-lasting memory in the kid’s heart. Getting recruited to that dream team a decade later was nothing less than a fairytale for the 18-year-old.

Peoples felt a mixed burst of emotions about James Peoples’ meteoric rise in Ohio

”It was an overjoyed feeling. I was offered by Coach Alford and, actually, me and Coach Alford we go way back because I saw Coach Alford this past June in the summer for the camp”, Peoples explained his grand first-day experience at Ohio. The dumbstruck kid who could just stare at every management detail as a larger-than-life idea flashing through his dreamy eyes turned out a reliable prospect for the team pretty quickly. His prompt chip-in and impressive contributions were rewarded with a spot in the class final of San Antonio Express-Times Offensive Player of the Year honors.

These streams of success were enough to melt a father’s heart, but on the other hand, the loving father syndrome made him miss his son’s idle childhood. Momma Peoples echoed the same sentiment, projecting their deep care and empathy for their child behind the helmet.

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