MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A year ago, true freshman CJ Donaldson began his college football career without a defined position, before settling in at running back and making an immediate splash.
Donaldson surpassed 100 rushing yards four times and scored eight touchdowns over seven games in 2022 before suffering a season-ending injury the last weekend of October against TCU.
While Donaldson has since recovered and is participating in fall camp without limitation, another true freshman running back appears on the verge of being a pivotal piece of the Mountaineers’ offense this season.
Jahiem White, an early enrollee and a participant in spring football, has the full attention of offensive coordinator/running backs coach Chad Scott.
“A young, talented kid in Jahiem White, who has shown the ability in spring ball and throughout the summer and these first two days to be able to flex out,” Scott said. “He’s pretty special with the ball in his hands.”
During the annual Gold-Blue Game back in April, White led all players with 91 rushing yards on seven carries, including a 53-yard touchdown run.
While White is listed as a tailback and was especially accomplished playing that position at William Penn High School in York, Pa., the Mountaineers aren’t exactly lacking depth at that spot. Donaldson, Justin Johnson Jr. and Jaylen Anderson are vying for playing time in the backfield and each player was the focal point of WVU’s ground game at times last season. The leading rusher off last season’s team, Tony Mathis Jr., went through spring practice with the Mountaineers but has since transferred to Houston.
Still, with three at least somewhat proven running backs in the fold, White’s best chance to make an immediate impact may not necessarily be in the backfield.
That’s why, over the first two practices of fall camp, White has repped as both a tailback and slot receiver.
“We have to get the ball in his hands,” Scott said. “We’re being smart about it and seeing how much he can carry in terms of how much he can pick up on right now. That’s the beauty of having a two-spot. He gets a lot of reps and is able to show us what he can handle. It’s good for him.
“One thing that he can handle, when the ball is in his hands, he’s special. We won’t ask a lot out of him. He’s talented and when you have a guy that talented, the worst thing we could do is make him play a whole lot slower than what he is. He’s fast, so we’re not going to do that.”
White rushed for 1,918 yards and 37 touchdowns and caught 33 passes for 428 yards as a high school senior. Scott described White as having “great ball skills” and wants the 5-foot-7, 190 pound newcomer to college football relying on his natural ability as he continues to acclimate to the Division I level.
“We knew he was fast and special with the ball in his hands,” Scott said. “We want him to continue to be fast, so we can’t put a lot on his plate to force him to go out there and think and thus far, we’ve done a good job of that. He has to keep taking care of his body and be available for us.”
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While each of the four aforementioned running backs will likely assume a featured role at some point in 2023, WVU has two other true freshman running backs that don’t have much in common outside of their position.
DJ Oliver, a 5-10, 250-pound bulldozing back from Port Saint Joe, Fla., and 2022 MetroNews Football Player of the Year Judah Price join White as true freshmen tailbacks.
Price, who led Independence to an unbeaten season and Class AA state championship in 2022, is listed at 5-9, 188 pounds.
“DJ Oliver’s a load. I tell he and CJ Donaldson, when defensive guys can see the 4 [Donaldson’s number] and the 20 [Oliver’s number], they have to make business decisions,” Scott said. “Those are some big guys. With their momentum going forward, I tell them you’re an efficient runner naturally and [can gain] 4 yards just running north with a vertical mentality. DJ has looked really good thus far. When he first got here, his teammates weren’t sure what position he played. They know what he is now. He can run the football.
“Judah’s done really well thus far. I’ve been pleasantly surprised. He hasn’t been here as long. He’s gotten some reps and picked up on the offense pretty well. I’m excited about him. He’s competitive.”
Price rushed for 376 yards in last year’s Class AA title game against Herbert Hoover, setting a new Super Six record in the process. His 94-yard touchdown run against the Huskies marks the longest play in Super Six history.