![](https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2023/12/USATSI_21968549.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
The early signing period is in the books and the newly expanded Big Ten added a wealth of talent.
It would take too long to evaluate every prospect in one piece, but we have already dived into the top incoming gunslingers entering the conference. Now we wanted to provide the top five running back recruits who have signed with Big Ten teams during the early signing period, according to the 247Sports composite.
It should make Ohio State fans happy that despite the drama surrounding the flip of one highly ranked running back, the Buckeyes were able to pull in one of the best running backs in the state of Texas and in the whole country, which will be the highest ranked recruit on this list.
The Big Ten snagged five of the top 25 running back prospects in the country, which is a big number but much lower than the quarterback list. Regardless, let’s dive into the haul we saw.
5
Corey Smith, Penn State
![](https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2023/12/USATSI_21698190.jpg)
Player Bio
Four-Star
Height: 5 feet, 11 inches
Weight: 170 pounds
City: Waukesha, Wisconsin
Four-star running back Corey Smith is the next player to sign with Penn State.
Smith is the No. 3 player from Wisconsin and is one of three commits in the 2024 class from Wisconsin.
He will look to form a dynamic duo in the backfield with fellow signee Quinton Martin. pic.twitter.com/kd0pQbVKW0
— Alex Rocco (@AlexRocco13_) December 20, 2023
4
DeJuan Williams, Maryland
Four-star Michigan RB target DeJuan Williams (@D1Juan2) going through warmup drills #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/hVoxU010ti
— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) April 19, 2023
Player Bio
Four-Star
Height: 5 feet, 10 inches
Weight: 195 pounds
City: Baltimore, Maryland
3
Jordan Marshall, Michigan
![](https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2023/12/USATSI_22056002.jpg)
Player Bio
Four-Star
Height: 5 feet, 10 inches
Weight: 193 pounds
City: Cincinnati, Ohio
Congrats to Archbishop Moeller's Jordan Marshall on being named the 2023 MaxPreps Ohio Player of the Year.@J_MARSH2024 | @MoellerFootball
✍️: https://t.co/CxPBqRb5cl pic.twitter.com/QBoOFdPndY
— Zack Poff (@Zack_Poff_MP) December 19, 2023
2
Dilin Jones, Wisconsin
![](https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2023/12/USATSI_16644799.jpg)
Player Bio
Four-Star
Height: 5 feet, 11 inches
Weight: 180 pounds
City: Olney, Maryland
"I think they're gonna be a heck of a combination, those two guys."
Luke Fickell is excited about @BadgerFootball's 4-star RB duo of Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones.@darrion_a 🤝 @DilinJones pic.twitter.com/8hfTGSlUI1
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 20, 2023
1
James Peoples, Ohio State
James Peoples appreciation post
pic.twitter.com/lPFttoHAVE— The Victory Bell (@VictoryBellOSU) December 19, 2023
Player Bio
Four-Star
Height: 5 feet, 10 inches
Weight: 192 pounds
City: San Antonio, Texas
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