CJ Donaldson is a senior running back who transferred to Ohio State this winter from West Virginia where he was a part-time starter throughout his career.
No. 6 – CJ Donaldson – Senior Running Back
CJ Donaldson has had a long and winding road on his way to Ohio State. As a recruit, the former 6-foot-2 and 215-pounder played wide receiver. Because he was so big, however, he was ranked by the services as a tight end prospect.
Donaldson signed with West Virginia out of Gulliver Prep in Miami where he was ranked the No. 931 player in the nation and the No. 52 tight end prospect overall. He was moved to running back pretty quickly after his arrival, and in the season opener as a true freshman, Donaldson rushed for 125 yards on seven carries in a 38-31 loss at No. 22 Pittsburgh.
Donaldson started one game as a true freshman, 10 games as a sophomore, and the last three games of West Virginia’s season last year.
Statistical History
What He Does Well
Even though CJ Donaldson hasn’t gotten to show it as much in his college career, he is a skilled receiver. His background as a route runner in high school has stuck with him at running back and it’s a role that Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn can see being an impact this year.
“I think he has the skill set of what teams are looking for now in their running backs,” Locklyn told Buckeye Huddle back in the winter. “He just can’t be a runner now. He can probably line up wide, probably line up in the slot, catch the ball out of the backfield. I mean, there’s a number of things you can do with him. He runs between the tackles. I think he’s a very talented man.”
After a very strong freshman season, his average yards per carry dropped considerably. Still, as a senior, he had a higher rate of 20-yard carries (4.3%) than Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo (4.1%).
Donaldson has only had one carry of more than 30 yards the past two seasons after having four such carries as a true freshman.
CJ Donaldson In 2025
The lack of big plays from CJ Donaldson the past two seasons could be chalked up to a run-heavy offense and Donaldson himself being a heavier back. He was listed at 238 pounds his final year with the Mountaineers, but when he arrived at Ohio State he immediately started cutting weight. He took the field this spring for the Buckeyes around 220 pounds and he felt a lot better at that weight.
Donaldson has spent his entire career splitting carries, and he’ll be doing that again this year with James Peoples. Donaldson has never been able to run the ball in an offense that is also able to throw the ball. Defenses could focus on the run and everybody’s numbers suffered because of it.
Now in an offense with Ohio State’s passing potential, Donaldson could return to his freshman form of big plays when he had a higher percentage of home runs than Texas first-rounder Bijan Robinson.
What They Are Saying
“[Carlos Locklyn] wanted me to be more explosive and have more short-area burst. That’s something that I lack in my game and he continually tells me to work on that day in, day out. It’s amazing. I can feel the difference out here when I’m running at 225. I feel like I’m running like the Flash right now. So, yeah, my speed, I definitely feel quicker, more explosive, just getting off the ball and continually working on my short area burst as frequently as possible.” — CJ Donaldson this spring on improving his explosiveness.
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