by: Justin Walker
In a recent Spring press conference, former West Virginia running back, CJ Donaldson, spoke about what it’s been like becoming an Ohio State Buckeye. He also talked about why he entered the transfer portal and the transformation that he’s undergoing in Columbus.
Leaving West Virginia
Following the 2024 season, WVU’s Director of Athletics, Wren Baker, decided to part ways with Neal Brown as the WVU football coach. That was followed by several Mountaineer players entering the transfer portal. That list included Donaldson, who was one of the first players to enter the portal. However, when asked if the coaching change is what led his decision, the Senior running back attributed it to more. “You have to think about your family, you and what you want to get out of this.” Donaldson said. “This is my last guaranteed opportunity to play football because the next level’s not promised. You have to, as you say, earn that. So, I just took a chance on myself. Gotta better myself at all times.”
When talking about what drew him to the Buckeyes’ program, he recognized the opportunity to surround himself with the “best of the best” and develop into the player he knew he could become.
The Recruiting Process: Choosing Ohio State
Donaldson’s decision to join the Buckeyes was not an easy one. The transfer process, which he likened to “fast dating” or “speed dating,” involved numerous calls and “red carpet talk” from various programs. However, it was the personal connection he felt with the Ohio State coaching staff, particularly Running Backs Coach, Carlos Locklyn (Coach Lock), that set the Buckeyes apart.
“Coach Lock told me that he would challenge me and help me develop into a great man and a player,” Donaldson explained. “We didn’t talk too much about football at all. We talked about personal life things.”
Donaldson’s familiarity with some of his new teammates, such as Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Enis, also played a role in his decision. These existing relationships helped ease his transition and made him feel more at home within the Ohio State family.
Embracing the Physical Transformation
One of the most significant changes Donaldson has undergone since joining the Buckeyes is a physical transformation. When he first arrived on campus, Donaldson weighed in at 243 pounds, a weight that the coaching staff felt was not optimal for his playing style and desired level of explosiveness.
Under the guidance of the Ohio State strength and conditioning staff, Donaldson has shed 18 pounds, now tipping the scales at a lean 226 pounds. This weight loss has been a deliberate and strategic process. The coaching staff is working closely with Donaldson to develop a meal plan and training regimen, which would help him become more explosive on the field.
“Coach Lock wanted me to get down to a size where I could still use my physical attributes very well and also be more explosive in the run game and play more downs than I did at my previous university,” Donaldson explained.
Embracing the Ohio State Brotherhood
Beyond the physical transformation, Donaldson has also been impacted by the sense of brotherhood within the Ohio State program. He was particularly inspired by the dedication and preparation of the Buckeyes’ veteran running backs, Quinshon Judkins and Treveyon Henderson, during their preparation for the 2024 College Football Playoffs. Donaldson entered the transfer portal almost immediately after finishing the season with the Mountaineers. This allowed him to spend time around the OSU program during their CFP practices.
“Watching their preparation, just analyzing and watching how they were as a family and the brotherhood, was just amazing,” Donaldson said. “Just to watch how they take the littlest details to make the biggest impact on the game, it was just amazing to see.”
His Time at West Virginia
Before transferring to Ohio State, Donaldson had a productive three years in Morgantown playing for former WVU coach, Neal Brown. He was originally recruited to the Mountaineers in the 2022 recruiting class as a tight end. However, Brown and his staff moved the Miami native to running back out of necessity. Donaldson never looked back. In his very first college game, The 6 foot 2 inch running back had seven carries for 125 yards and a touchdown. It came against WVU’s biggest rival, the Pitt Panthers. He went on to play seven games his Freshman year before missing the rest of the season with injuries. He would still finish with 526 yards on 87 rushes (6.0 average) and find the end zone eight times
In Donaldson’s Sophomore year, he started the season as the feature back for the Mountaineers and was able to play the entire season. He finished with 171 carries for 798 yards (4.7 average) and 11 touchdowns. He put up these numbers despite splitting carries with talented Freshman, Jahiem White, who came on near the halfway point of the season.
Donaldson and White became a really good backfield duo for WVU. White was the smaller and more shifty back, while Donaldson was the strong and powerful back who could get the tough yards. The two would share running back duties throughout the 2024 season. Donaldson finished his Junior season with 734 yards on 163 carries (4.5 average) and another 11 touchdowns.
CJ Donaldson proved to be a very tough and dependable running back during his days in Morgantown. He ended his West Virginia career with over 2,000 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns. With Judkins and Henderson both declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, Donaldson will have an opportunity to be the feature back in Columbus. He will also have an opportunity to impress NFL scouts and maybe even win himself a National Championship ring along the way.
You can find the full interview with CJ Donaldson on the Eleven Warriors YouTube channel.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
