In 43 days, the New Orleans Saints will officially kick off their 2026 regular season. The Saints will be on the road to begin the year, playing at the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Wearing No. 43 as New Orleans enters training camp is CJ Donaldson, an undrafted rookie running back.
Undrafted rookies typically have a slim chance at making a roster. However, the Saints have had some success with undrafted players at this position. They're also no strangers to Ohio State players, where Donaldson played collegiately. Our Saints Player of the Day features continue with a look at their newest Buckeye.
- Name (age): De'Carlo "CJ" Donaldson (22)
- Hometown: Coral Gables, Fla.
- Position: Running back
- Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 230 pounds
- College: Ohio State Buckeyes
- lative Athletic Score: 6.04
- Drafted: Undrafted in 2026 (Saints)
- NFL experience: Rookie
- 2026 salary cap hit: $891,666
A three-star recruit at Gulliver Preparatory School in Florida, Donaldson flipped his original commitment from Tulane to the West Virginia Mountaineers
to start his collegiate career. Brought in as a tight end, Donaldson was moved to running back during his freshman year and had 526 rushing yards and a team-best 8 touchdowns. In 2023, he'd have 798 yards on the ground and 11 scores.
Donaldson again led the Mountaineers with 11 rushing touchdowns in 2024, picking up 734 yards on the ground. After the season, he'd transfer from West Virginia to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Donaldson saw a lesser role at Ohio State, rushing for 361 yards, but led the Buckeyes with 10 rushing scores.
Donaldson slipped out of the 2026 NFL Draft in large part because he doesn't create much if the hole isn't there, lacks burst to the second level, and offers little as a receiver. However, Donaldson has very good size is a power runner who's extremely effective near the goal line. This could be his key to a roster spot. Donaldson is competing in a crowded running back room that includes Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, and Audric Estime. Etienne and Kamara own the top two jobs. If Donaldson can turn heads in camp with more creativity and run with the power he did in college, he could be a roster surprise.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: CJ Donaldson is the Saints Player of Day 43
