WVU Needs More From CJ Donaldson

The West Virginia rushing attack was expected to be one of the best in the country in 2023. A veteran-laden offensive line set to pave the way for a talented backfield that consisted of CJ Donaldson, Justin Johnson Jr., Jaylen Anderson, Jahiem White, and a mobile QB in Garrett Greene.

Although the Mountaineers have ran the ball effectively, they've yet to really gash teams with it. Would you believe me if I told you Donaldson has not recorded a single rush of 20+ yards this season? It's true. His longest rush of the season went for 17 yards which he did twice, once against Pitt and once against Houston.

Rushing at just 3.9 yards a clip, it's obvious Donaldson is not playing up to preseason expectations. He's not running right through people like he did a year ago, he's a little too patient in hitting the hole, and he's making too many wrong reads. Call it a sophomore slump or maybe even attribute it to fatigue. Regardless of what it is, the Mountaineers need more for him or perhaps more from others in that room to push him a little harder.

Each of West Virginia's top four running backs has dealt with some sort of minor injury or sickness this season which is why you haven't seen a steady rotation from week to week. Last Saturday, Justin Johnson Jr., the back Neal Brown tabbed as the most consistent in fall camp, had his breakout game. He rushed for 72 yards and a score on 14 carries and thanks to that performance, you'll begin to see No. 26 a little bit more according to the head coach.

"Justin Johnson earned more playing time. And Jahiem (White) we need to play. We need to break some runs. Justin got downhill fast and was really decisive. Jahiem's got to practice better so we can play him because he's the one who can really hit home runs."

It may sound crazy but Johnson could supplant Donaldson as the lead back if the two continue to trend in different directions. I'm sorry but 64.7 yards per game from Donaldson just isn't going to cut it. Neal Brown has to do what's best for this team and if that means playing Johnson, White, and even Anderson a little more and Donaldson a little less, so be it.

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