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RB coach gives fiery speech about the expectations with the Ohio State football team

Carlos Locklyn explains why the Buckeyes practice so hard all of the time.
ByRyan Stano|
Ohio State Buckeyes running backs coach Carlos Locklyn works with running back CJ Donaldson (12) during the first football practice of the season at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on July 31, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes running backs coach Carlos Locklyn works with running back CJ Donaldson (12) during the first football practice of the season at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on July 31, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State football team had one of the best tandems of running backs in the country last season, with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins performing very well. Both of them have running backs coach Carlos Locklyn to thank for getting the most out of them.

Locklyn was brought in very late in the coach hiring cycle last season, as he wasn't brought to Columbus until during Spring practice after Tony Alford jumped ship for Michigan. Locklyn proved that he was the better hire for the Buckeyes, and he's using the same coaching style for the backs they have this year.

James Poeples and CJ Donaldson have stepped into the roles occupied by Henderson and Judkins. They are expected to pick right up where they left off, and Locklyn had a great speech as to why he coaches his running backs so hard during every single practice.

Ohio State football coach Carlos Locklyn talks about his coaching style in fiery speech

Locklyn gave a great explanation for why he coaches his guys so hard, including the transfer from West Virginia, Donaldson.

"Coach Day said it best. That ain't just on the kid, that's on the coach. He's (Donaldson) going to play to my temperament. The temperament I coach him, that's what the kid is going to play with. If I come out there lukewarm, he's going to play what...lukewarm. We don't do that here. You ain't allowed to have a bad day here at the Ohio State. So he's going to come out here and play hard."

Locklyn sums up the expectations of the Ohio State Buckeyes perfectly; excellence is the standard. The fans don't give the team any excuses when they lose, especially when the lights are brightest. In order to get the players ready for that, the coaches need to coach their guys hard.

Donaldson knows that, and that's part of the reason why he transferred to Ohio State. He wants to be coached as hard as possible so that he can reach his potential. Locklyn has given his promise that he will do that, and that's why Ohio State football fans should be happy with what's happening.

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