The NCAA transfer portal has opened new opportunities for college football players, particularly at the running back position. Each year, numerous talented backs seek new schools for increased playing time and visibility. This season, the leading three rushers in the FBS were all transfers experiencing their first year at a new institution. They include Cam Cook from Jacksonville State with 1,659 rushing yards, Ahmad Hardy from Missouri with 1,649 yards, and Kewan Lacy from Ole Miss with 1,464 yards.
As of January 2, the transfer portal window has seen many top running backs secure new homes. Among them are Caleb Hawkins transferring from North Texas to Oklahoma State, Hollywood Smothers moving from NC State to Alabama, and Cook changing schools again from Jacksonville State to West Virginia. Others include Tre Wisner (Texas to Florida State), Makhi Hughes (Oregon to Houston), and Jahiem White (West Virginia to North Texas).
Despite many players finding new teams, a wealth of talent remains in the transfer portal. One of the most intriguing prospects is Brown, a former five-star recruit from Mater Dei High School in California. Initially committing to USC, he later faced challenges, including a sprained ankle, which hampered his debut season. In 2024, he rebounded with 1,141 rushing yards and 6 combined touchdowns. After contemplating the NFL draft, Brown is now seeking a new college destination.
Brown has recently visited Indiana and had an in-home meeting with Texas“s new running backs coach. While he was expected to visit Alabama, that trip is now uncertain. Texas appears to be a fitting destination given the connections between head coach Steve Sarkisian and Southern California.
Washington, who had a standout season at Baylor in 2024, is another appealing option. He rushed for over 1,000 yards as a redshirt freshman but faced injury setbacks this season, limiting his performance. Washington recently entered the transfer portal and is looking to visit Texas A&M, Wisconsin, and Auburn.
Durham, a top prospect from Duncanville High School, is also exploring new options after a subpar season at LSU. Despite a promising start, he did not meet expectations in his sophomore year, prompting his transfer.
An exciting prospect is Edwards, a former four-star recruit who struggled at both Colorado and Kansas State. He demonstrated flashes of potential but battled injuries that limited his playing time.
Finally, Baxter, a five-star recruit and the top-ranked running back in his class, is seeking a fresh start after injuries hindered his time at Texas. With a promising future ahead, he is currently linked to several schools, including Kentucky and Colorado.
As the transfer portal remains active, these running backs are poised to make significant impacts at their next institutions.
