CJ Donaldson is a 6’2, 232-pound running back from Gulliver Prep in Miami, Florida, who played at West Virginia from 2022 to 2024 before transferring to Ohio State in 2025. Although his workload decreased from previous seasons in 2025, the preseason Doak Walker award watch list member was a key piece in Ohio State’s offense. He led Ohio State in rushing touchdowns with 10 despite not leading Ohio State in carries. Donaldson was a great teammate and always performed when called upon, even in situations where we have seen many others give up. His character, frame, and skill set will help him hear his name called during the 2025 draft.
CJ Donaldson has a thick lower body paired with broad shoulders that allow him to run defenders. He is a physical runner who requires multiple defenders to bring him down. He has excellent play strength and a strong base that allows him to absorb contact and keep his balance. Donaldson takes on hits and falls forward, always picking up extra yards that not many backs can. His speed and acceleration are average at best, and he is not elusive. However, Donaldson plays to his strengths. He is a one-cut runner that will make a cut to go north/south and run hard inside the open gap inside the tackles. His toughness and competitiveness stand out when he runs, as he takes on a lot of contact and lowers his shoulders, not shying away from it. His skill set is one that every NFL team will value in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Donaldson has shown upside as a pass blocker, but his technique is often inconsistent, whether in his pad level or his hands. He has shown the ability to hold off blitzing linebackers, and his frame allows him to withstand a lot of contact, so with the right coaching, I believe this can become a strength for him. His receiving game is limited, but it works. His route tree is limited to basic routes like swing passes and outs, but his hands are reliable on these routes. Once he gets into the open field, he is very hard to bring down, so coaches could scheme him into space on screen plays. Donaldson’s vision is average. He makes quick decisions at the line of scrimmage, quickly finding the open hole and getting downhill between the tackles. He will not improvise or create for himself, but he will get to the right spots as long as the offensive line opens up a hole. Overall, Donaldson is a physical, short-yardage, and goal-line back who competes on every snap with high-level toughness and motor.
Scheme Fit and Team fit:
Donaldson’s best fit will be in a gap scheme where he can run in between the tackles into a defined hole. His skill set is best suited for short-yardage situations. The Eagles, Raiders, and Ravens would be good fits for him.
NFL Player Comp: Brian Robinson Jr
Donaldson’s style of play is similar to Brian Robinson Jr.’s. Both have thick builds with broad shoulders and are primarily used between the tackles due to strong play strength and average-to-below-average acceleration, elusiveness, and speed. Donaldson, like Robinson, is an ultimate competitor with a lot of toughness who projects as a physical short-yardage and goal-line back.
Projection: Backup/Role Player
Donaldson projects as a rotational short-yardage and goal-line back. Donaldson was able to get comfortable in this role in 2025, as he was behind Ohio State freshman Bo Jackson for most of the year and was used mainly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. His lack of burst will likely limit his ceiling, but with his competitive nature and toughness, it is hard to write Donaldson off.
Grade and Round Prediction: 3.9 Grade | Day 3 Pick
Donaldson earned a 3.7 grade based on his film, which I curved to a 3.9, but his play strength and competitive nature will allow him to carve out a role in the league. He projects as a Day 3 pick, most likely in Round 6, where he will be given a chance to earn some snaps in a limited role. His competitiveness and toughness will give him a chance to earn a short-yardage and goal-line role.
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