While QB transfers tend to get the most publicity, every year there are RBs who are immediately eligible after transfer (usually grad transfers) ready to make an impact. Following are recent transfer names to know, loosely listed in descending order of their potential for impact this season:
- Tre Harbison, Charlotte (from Northern Illinois) – Harbison had over 1000 yards in 2018 & 2019, and certainly could reach those numbers again as the featured back at Charlotte
- Jashaun Corbin, Florida St (from Texas A&M) – in 2018 went for 61/346 and last season had 35/137. With Cam Akers to the NFL and Khalan Laborn in the transfer portal there is every shot for Corbin to be RB1.
- Trey Sermon, Ohio St (from Oklahoma) – Sermon only played in 10 games last year, but in 2018 rushed for 947 yards and 13 TDs. While Ohio St also returns Master Teague (assuming fully healthy), there is plenty of room for big stats for both backs.
- Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech (from Kansas) – rushed for 384 yards in only 4 games for Kansas last season before redshirting. Has never had more than 120 carries in a season and joins Keshawn King and possibly Raheem Blackshear (if eligible) in a talented backfield.
- Lorenzo Lingard, Florida (from Miami) – in 2018 rushed for 17/136 (8.0) before sitting out last season, should compete with UF’s top returner Dameon Pierce for carries.
- Jerome Ford, Cincy (from Alabama) – 24/114-3 at Alabama last season behind a talented group of backs including Najee Harris. Should compete with Gerrid Doaks at Cincy to be RB1.
- Ricky Slade, Old Dominion (from Penn State) – Slade was 47/214 behind a mix of backs at Penn State last season. Should have every chance to be RB1 at ODU.
- Ta’Zhawn Henry, Houston (from Texas Tech) – in 2019 rushed for 75/340-3 and caught 22/138-0, with very similar stats in 2018. Joins a Houston backfield with returners Kyle Porter & Mulbah Car.
- Martell Pettaway, MTSU (from West Virginia) – over the past 4 seasons Pettaway only had more than 50 carries once (2018 – 98/623 yards) – so while there certainly is opportunity at MTSU there isn’t yet a proven track record
- Brittain Brown, UCLA (from Duke) – Brown went from 701 yards in 2017, to 369 in 2018, to only 56 in 3 games in 2019 due to injuries. Demetric Felton returns for UCLA as sort of a hybrid RB/WR, but Brown could certainly earn his share of carries.
- Chase Hayden, East Carolina (from Arkansas) – after 57 rushes in 2018 Hayden only got 12 in 2019. ECU also returns D. Pinnix & D. Mauney, so may be a shared backfield situation.
- Devonta’e Henry-Cole, Utah State (from Utah) – after briefly committing to BYU, landed at Utah St. 34/188-2 last season, should compete with Jaylen Warren for carries.
- Darrian Felix, South Florida (from Oregon) – in 2019 had 34/197-2 in a crowded Oregon backfield, along with 6/78 receiving. Should compete with Kelley Joiner at USF.
- Jaxson Kincaide, Western Michigan (from Nevada) – each of the past 4 seasons Kincaide had anywhere from 26-78 carries and 119-334 yards in a supporting role at Nevada. Potential to be RB1, but based on past history a shared role may be more likely
- Bradrick Shaw, Cal (from Wisconsin) – in 2016 had 88/457 & 2017 was 96/365 before sitting out 2018 and then getting limited carries in 2019 (18/116). There is potential here, but Cal returns starter Chris Brown as well as Marcel Dancy.
- Raheem Blackshear, Virginia Tech (from Rutgers) – waiver for eligibility was denied, team plans to appeal (Aug 15 update)
