Breaking News: CJ Donaldson Jr. Announces Sudden Departure from “The House” Following Surprise Signing with Georgia Bulldogs
Athens, GA — June 26, 2025
In a stunning turn of events that has rocked the college football landscape, star running back CJ Donaldson Jr. has officially announced his departure from West Virginia University, affectionately referred to by fans as “The House,” after finalizing a surprise transfer to the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
The announcement came via a social media video early Wednesday morning, showing Donaldson in black and red, standing on the iconic “G” logo at Sanford Stadium. “This was one of the hardest decisions of my life,” Donaldson said, “but I’m ready for the next chapter, and that chapter is in Athens.”
Donaldson, a 6’2″, 240-pound power back with elite speed and vision, was expected to be the centerpiece of the Mountaineers’ offense this season. After earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors and rushing for over 1,300 yards with 14 touchdowns last year, his name had become synonymous with WVU’s resurgence.
His abrupt departure has ignited both speculation and controversy.
Sources close to the situation revealed that Donaldson had been courted quietly by multiple SEC programs, but it was Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and running backs coach Dell McGee who sealed the deal during a late off-season push. Donaldson reportedly visited Athens in early June under the radar and was impressed by Georgia’s NFL-level infrastructure, championship pedigree, and commitment to utilizing him in a dual-threat backfield role.
“This wasn’t just about football,” Donaldson said in his statement. “It was about development, about legacy, about putting myself in the best position to make an impact—and Georgia gave me that vision.”
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart praised the acquisition as “a championship-caliber move,” adding, “CJ is the kind of player who changes the tone of a game. But more than that, he’s mature, driven, and ready to win.”
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown issued a statement of his own: “CJ gave his all to our program. We’re disappointed to lose him, but we wish him the best. That’s the business now, and we move forward.”
Donaldson’s exit has reignited debate about NIL incentives, the transfer portal’s volatility, and the ethics of late-offseason recruiting. Rumors are already swirling about whether tampering may have played a role, though no formal investigation has been launched.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are expected to use Donaldson as a feature back in a three-headed rotation alongside returning stars Branson Robinson and Justice Haynes, giving Georgia perhaps the deepest backfield in the nation.
“CJ brings SEC-ready toughness, Big 12 burst, and the hunger of an underdog,” said ESPN analyst Marcus Spears. “This move just tilted the national title race even more toward Athens.”
With fall camp only weeks away, all eyes will be on Donaldson as he dons red and black for the first time between the hedges.
From The House to the Dawgs, CJ Donaldson Jr.’s journey just took a seismic turn—one that may shake up the college football world for seasons to come.
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