NCAA Running Back Transfer Portal Highlighted by 5-Star Demarkcus Bowman with Hidden Gems
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2020 college football season just ended but the NCAA transfer portal is wide open buzzing with activity. In the coming days, top players at all positions will have big decisions to make mulling over staying at their current program or hoping for a better fit elsewhere. One of the big names who has already made a move is former five-star tailback Demarkcus Bowman. Heading from Clemson to Florida, Bowman helps bolster the Gators 2021 roster. Another is four-star Harold Joiner going from Auburn to Michigan State… who else is hoping to become an impact player on a new squad?
With offenses varying from a balanced attack to pass-heavy, one would think the NCAA transfer portal would be full of one-time fought over high-end running backs, but it’s not. Outside of Bowman and Joiner’s quick decisions from one to program to another, there are only three former four-star recruits currently waiting to find a new team; Deondrick Glass (Oklahoma State), Iverson Clement (Florida), and Jordan Wilmore (Utah).
But layered within all the right and wrong recruiting rankings are some fantastic talents like former Centennial (Corona, CA) running back Miles Reed. During the 2019 season, Reed started nine games leading Hawaii with eight rushing touchdowns covering 908 yards off 174 totes. During the 2020 season, a new coaching staff led by head coach Todd Graham brought in a different approach and focus. Reed’s carries were cut to 82 but he still produced 346 yards with a score while catching 16 passes for 123 more all-purpose yards.
As Utah is expected to shift their offensive focus to an Air Raid in 2021, the running backs on the roster are getting ahead of the change. In addition to Jordan Wilmore, former three-stars Devin Brumfield and T.J. Green are hitting the open market. Another former highly recruited player lost in the Air Raid shuffle is Mississippi State’s Kareem Walker.
The following is a list of some of the former three-star recruits looking for a new dorm room in 2021.
NCAA Running Backs who have Entered the Transfer Portal
Miles Reed – Hawaii
Christian Turner – Michigan
Kareem Walker – Mississippi State
Demetrious Flowers – Arizona State
Jahmon McClendon – UCLA
DeShawn Collins – Cal
John Lovett – Baylor
Devin Brumfield – Utah
T.J. Green – Utah
Isaiah Bowser – Northwestern
Anthony Williams Jr. – Michigan State
Kendrell Flowers – Wake Forest
Antwauan Branch – North Carolina
Jamari Peacock – Virginia
PK Kier – Virginia
Thomas Grayson – Kansas State
Garrison Johnson – Syracuse
Markenzy Pierre – Syracuse
Shadrick Byrd – Iowa
Kenyon Sims – Illinois
Chase Hayden – East Carolina
Kentrail Moran – New Mexico
Peter Hayes-Patrick – Akron
DeMarcus Townsend – FIU
Malik Staples – Western Kentucky
Amare Jones – Tulane
Donovan Marshall – Arkansas State
Dylan Downing – UNLV
Johnny Ford – South Florida
Josh Berry – South Florida
Kuj Tapusoa – BYU
Cedrick Wilcox – Marshall
Trivenskey Mosley – Southern Miss
Steven Anderson – Southern Miss
Kory Gainwell – Memphis
Ontario Russell – Miami-Ohio
Related Link – Quarterback Transfer Portal
Photo credit: Hawaii Star Advisor; Miles Reed