Ohio State has added a veteran running back for the 2025 season.
Former West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson Jr. signed with the Buckeyes on Monday, considered the No. 102 transfer portal prospect and No. 6 running back per 247Sports.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 23, 2024
Welcome to , @Sp3Cj pic.twitter.com/uFAfJsorLj
Donaldson adds an experienced running back to the Buckeyes’ backfield as he has rushed for 2,058 yards and 30 touchdowns on 421 carries (4.9 yards per attempt). He spent the last two seasons as the Mountaineers' starter at running back and found consistently modest production carrying the football, carrying good power in his 6-foot-2, 238-pound frame.
In 2023, Donaldson collected 798 yards on 171 carries (4.7 yards per attempt) and 11 touchdowns. In 2024, Donaldson has 163 carries for 734 yards (4.5 yards per attempt) and 11 touchdowns. A rising senior, the Florida product was actually considered a tight end prospect out of high school, the No. 52 tight end and No. 931 prospect overall in the 247Sports composite rankings for the recruiting class of 2022.
The Donaldson File
- Year: Senior
- Size: 6-2/238
- Pos: RB
- Previous School: West Virginia (2022-24)
- 2024 Stats: 163 carries for 734 yards (4.5 per carry), 11 touchdowns
He'll provide veteran depth for an Ohio State running back room that could be very green in 2025. Senior TreVeyon Henderson runs out of eligibility after this season and running mate Quinshon Judkins may also elect to go pro, as the two-time first-team All-SEC performer has some good draft stock.
Should Judkins elect to forego his final year of eligibility, the Buckeyes would return just freshmen James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon as scholarship running backs from this year's roster. Peoples has emerged as the team's No. 3 back behind Henderson and Judkins, with 49 carries for 197 yards (4 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns in 2024. Four-stars Bo Jackson and Anthony "Turbo" Rogers join three-star Isaiah West as running back signees in Ohio State's recruiting class of 2025.
Donaldson becomes Ohio State’s second transfer addition this month, joining former Minnesota offensive tackle Phillip Daniels. Should Judkins leave, Donaldson will compete to share carries with Peoples atop the Buckeyes' running back depth chart next season.
