Why Fresno State RB Bryson Donelson is ready to get the 2025 season started
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Bryson Donelson enters camp as a top contender in Fresno State’s RB battle.
- Donelson added 12 pounds and maintained low body fat to boost performance.
- Competition includes Arizona-transfer Rayshon Luke and six other RBs.
As Fresno State is a few days into fall camp, one thing is certain for the Bulldogs:
The running back position is up for grabs, according to coach Matt Entz.
But sophomore Bryson Donelson out of Central Valley Christian High in Visalia hopes it’s him as he already has a taste of what college football is about.
Donelson appeared in 12 games last season, earning starts in the final three games, totaling 462 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He had 12 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ Mountain West finale against Colorado State.
“(Running backs coach Aaron Prier) AP gave me the opportunity to play towards the end of the season, but then it wasn’t until like the third to last game he gave me my start,” Donelson said.
“I feel like I just took off from there.”
Heading into the season, Donelson’s main focus was to get his body right. He hit the weight room and added 12 pounds to his 5-foot-11 frame. He is now at 205 pounds.
That is good news for the Bulldogs, considering what Donelson already brings to the field, but there was a catch to adding weight:
“I put on 0.2% body fat, so that’s a really good ratio, especially if you’re a running back. You don’t want to be a straight muscle. You get hit a lot and you need a little bit of protection. I feel like I’m stronger, bigger and faster,” he said.
Donelson was more than capable of handling his own when he played for Mason Hughes at CVC. During the championship season, Donelson finished with a state-leading 3,297 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns.
He earned The Fresno Bee Player of the Year.
Donelson hopes to continue to shine at Fresno State.
The Bulldogs’ running back competition is strong and a bit fast, including Arizona-transfer Rayshon “Speedy” Luke. He is also joined by Johnathan Arceneaux, Devon Rivers, Julius Gillick, Ryan Warkentin, Brandon Ramirez and Elijah Gilliam.
“We’re all hungry,” Donelson said. “We know we’re going to run the ball, so we all want it. Every day at practice, we’re just pushing each other. We all want it.”
As far as his 2025 goals, Donelson doesn’t like to project goals, but he wants to show why last season wasn’t a fluke.
“My little outburst last year ... it wasn’t a coincidence,” he said. “That’s really who I am. That’s what I want to show everybody.”
This story was originally published July 28, 2025 at 6:47 PM.
