A way-too-early ranking of the top 10 Big 12 running backs ahead of 2024 season
![Texas Tech's running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs for a touchdown against TCU in a Big 12 football Texas Tech's running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs for a touchdown against TCU in a Big 12 football](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6233,h_3506,x_0,y_519/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/275/01hvrwg8ngqc4w3d67gr.jpg)
Running backs. 9. 469. . Junior. C.J. Donaldson Jr.. player. . RB. C.J. Donaldson Jr.
Last season, WVU surprised many by winning nine games. That was largely due to running the ball, something the Mountaineers led the conference in.
Expectations were high for C.J. Donaldson Jr. after he ran for over 500 yards as a freshman in 2022. As a sophomore, he upped that total to 798 yards while finding the endzone 11 times.
The 238-pounder is a thumper who is tough to bring down. However, his lack of burst makes him a one-trick pony of sorts. Still, being able to run tough and break tackles in the interior of the line is a pretty good trick to have.
Donaldson is part of a committee approach to running the ball in Morgantown so he doesn't rank as high on this list as he could were he to be the featured back. Still, he's a powerful runner who brings quite a bit to the table for head coach Neal Brown.