Over the past two months, Tony Alford has been building a close relationship with Donovan Johnson, who is emerging as one of the top running backs in the 2025 recruiting class.
may only be entering his sophomore year of high school, but he’s well-versed on Ohio State’s longstanding tradition of developing elite ball carriers.The 6-foot-1, 190-pound running back has had plenty of reason to research the Buckeyes over the past few months. On May 3, OSU running backs coach Tony Alford stopped by Calvary Day High School , to offer Johnson a scholarship. He was only the second running back the Buckeyes offered in the 2025 cycle.
“It was fantastic,” Johnson said of receiving his Ohio State offer. “Because it’s THE Ohio State University. Coach Alford came down to see me, and it was really awesome. Instantly, we connected.” He caught Alford’s attention after he burst onto the national recruiting scene with a prolific freshman season, running for 1,336 yards on 170 carries and scoring 10 rushing touchdowns while averaging 102.8 yards per game. He also caught 14 passes for 129 yards and his standout season led to 16 Division I scholarship offers. Based on his frame and production, Johnson, who transferred to IMG Academy in the offseason, has the early billing of a potential five-star recruit.
“It was great,” Johnson said in May of his big year. “My line helped me out a lot and my quarterback threw me some great passes. Without them, I couldn’t have been as successful as I was this year. I’m truly blessed to have them, and I’m truly blessed to do what I did this year. I put in the work in the offseason and I’m dedicated to my craft in practice.”
Johnson’s fast rise is why it’s so vital Alford develop a relationship with the bruising running back early. So far, so good, as Johnson took his first visit to OSU on June 15 and loved his time in Columbus. It was Johnson’s first opportunity to receive coaching by Alford, as he went through a private workout with him in-between sessions at an Ohio State recruiting camp.
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