In one of the more significant blows to West Virginia Mountaineers' backfield next season, power-running, bruising back CJ Donaldson Jr. has given a commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes for 2025. In Donaldson, Ohio State gets perhaps one of the more dynamic power running backs in the country - the one that terrorizes defenses by not going down after contact easily.
It's been an eventful college football career so far for CJ Donaldson, who initially committed to West Virginia as a three-star recruit. A former tight end who made his way to running back, he wasted no time leaving his fingerprints on the gridiron. This versatile, strong back rushed 2,058 yards for 30 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Mountaineers. That commitment to Ohio State came on the heels of a visit made on December 23, 2024, which all but had signaled the end of his time at West Virginia and marked a new beginning.
Ohio State?
Ohio State's interest in Donaldson speaks to the school's intent on solidifying the backfield with veteran and physically imposing talent. His transfer comes at a time when the Buckeyes are trying to stay atop the Big Ten mountain, and one area that has received plenty of attention in recent times is in the running game.
Ohio State Running Backs 2025 Outlook:
CJ Donaldson Jr.: The instant depth and a track record of success is what Donaldson brings into the transfer. Listed at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, his size is very complementary to Ohio State's line - possibly allowing for some powerful rushing attacks.
Quinshon Judkins: If Judkins does not declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, he would still be a staple in the Buckeyes' backfield. His agility and vision were crucial in past seasons, and a potential return would make for an intriguing duo with Donaldson.
Younger Backs: Throw in a couple of young Buckeye talents in James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon. People's speed and the potential of William-Dixon could see them getting more opportunities, especially when different running styles are needed in the game.
Other transfers: The Buckeyes have been connected to a few other running backs through the transfer portal, which includes former USC running back Quinten Joyner. If true, these additions would only enhance the roster further with added depth and competition.
Coaching Perspective:
This coaching staff, led by Ryan Day and running backs coach Carlos Locklyn, is salivating with the new options this lineup presents. Donaldson's ability to break tackles and his experience within the Big 12 will more than likely make for an easy adjustment to the physicality of the Big Ten. Locklyn's philosophy is always to seek a balanced attack that no doubt will find opportunities to use Donaldson in matchups that could present mismatches.
Look Ahead:
The 2025 season at Ohio State looks bright for the fans of the running game. With CJ Donaldson coming into the fold, the Buckeyes add not just a workhorse back but also a player with leadership qualities from his time at West Virginia. This mix of experience, new talent, and strategic coaching could very well lead Ohio State to dominate ground games in the upcoming season.
As the team integrates these players, the focus will be on how they fit into the offensive scheme, manage depth, and handle the ball distribution. With a mix of power, speed, and experience, Ohio State's running back room is set to be one of the highlights of their squad in 2025.
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