Transfer Portal: Running Backs

Andy Pham is back! He looks at the landing spots for transfer running backs and their potential impact.

The running back landscape is ever-evolving, and the transfer portal brings a unique twist, spotlighting overlooked G5 backs who shined but now face bigger, faster, stronger defenses and stiffer competition in their own position rooms. Every year, we see players move from the G5 to the P4 and either struggle or thrive. This series examines the first batch of such players.

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Quinten Joyner - Texas Tech (2026)

Joyner is part of the mass exodus at USC and lands in a favorable run scheme at Texas Tech, which saw Tahj Brooks thrive over the past couple of seasons. Once viewed as a valuable devy asset, Joyner now joins a program that knows how to utilize running backs. This is a stock-up move for him. Joyner is a three-down back poised for a bell-cow role. If a manager in your league is down on him, this is your opportunity to trade for Joyner. He’s set up for a huge 2025 season.

Kewan Lacy - Ole Miss (2027)

Lane Kiffin missed out on Lacy during the 2023 National Signing Day, but 12 months later, he finally gets the running back he coveted. Lacy is a talented three-down back with soft, natural hands in the receiving game. Ole Miss isn’t shy about bringing in multiple players at each position, but if Lacy remains the prospect he was a year ago, he could carve out a premium role in this offense. Drafted as a devy asset in most leagues, his value remains stable despite this move.

Ahmad Hardy - Missouri (2027)

Hardy, a player we previously recommended picking up off waivers in C2C and CFF leagues, had a stellar season and now steps up into SEC competition. While the history of G5 backs transferring to the P4 isn’t always favorable, Missouri’s track record with such players offers hope. However, Missouri has been linked to other running backs in the portal. If Hardy emerges as the only new face after the portal closes, he could thrive in this offense.

Dante Dowdell - Kentucky (2026)

Dowdell continues his journey with yet another transfer, this time to Kentucky. Known as a power runner, Dowdell struggled to gain traction at Nebraska and now faces a step up in competition, from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, and now the SEC. Lacking a receiving profile, he’s capped as a two-down back. Kentucky’s younger running backs could present competition, but if Dowdell seizes the opportunity, he could secure a significant workload.

Kanye Udoh - Arizona State (2026)