College football continues changing, and the biggest contributor to that is the transfer portal. With the 2023 season over, we look ahead to the 2024 season and the running back position. Specifically, let’s examine the top players who will make an instant impact on their new teams in our transfer portal rankings.
Top Transfer Portal RBs for 2024
10) Jo’Quavious Marks, USC
With Marshawn Lloyd off to the NFL, the Trojans need a new starting running back. Austin Jones could be that guy, but Lincoln Riley and his staff added another weapon to the mix.
Jo’Quavious Marks is back in a more familiar and beneficial system to his skillset, and he’ll love the running room he gets in the Trojans offense. He’s also a proven pass catcher with 214 catches for 1,225 yards and 5 touchdowns in his career.
9) Tawee Walker, Wisconsin
With Braelon Allen off to the NFL, Wisconsin needed someone to take over as the featured player in the rushing attack. The Badgers do get Chez Mellusi back from injury, but they also needed someone to add depth and challenge him for the job.
Tawee Walker found himself in a rotation at Oklahoma, and the rushing attack struggled to get going at times. He rushed for 513 yards and 7 touchdowns with the Sooners but decided it wasn’t a good fit for him anymore. Until Wisconsin’s passing attack takes more steps forward, running the ball will be a priority.
8) Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas
With Raheim Sanders and AJ Green entering the transfer portal, Arkansas needed to address the running back position. Rashod Dubinion returns, but the Razorbacks staff felt they needed more depth and experience. Enter Ja’Quinden Jackson.
MORE: 2023 All-Transfer Portal Team
Utah’s passing attack struggled mightily this year, forcing Jackson and the rushing attack to do more for the offense. He led the team in rushing with 797 yards and nearly averaged five yards per carry despite facing loaded boxes every week.
7) Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
If South Carolina was looking to become more physical in the rushing attack, then they found their man in Raheim Sanders. At 6’2″ and 235 pounds, Sanders brings great size to compete in the SEC.
A former 1,000-yard rusher in 2022, Sanders is hoping that he can be more of a feature than he was in 2023. He only played in 6 games, so a full year with the Gamecocks will give him that chance.
6) Trevor Etienne, Georgia
With the amount of talent on the roster, Trevor Etienne might not have the biggest impact of everyone on this list. He’s easily one of the most talented, but Georgia’s so good that they don’t necessarily need him to be a superstar.
After rushing for over 700 yards in his first 2 seasons with Florida, Etienne decided to take his talents elsewhere. The brother of Jacksonville Jaguars and former Clemson Tiger star Travis Etienne is looking to join a winner, and that should happen with the Bulldogs.
5) Jordan Waters, NC State
Duke’s running back room got so crowded, so it was only a matter of time before someone transferred. Despite the depth at the position, Jordan Waters managed to run for 819 yards and 12 touchdowns. NC State needed someone to be their featured back, and they got one with the former Blue Devil.
4) Marcus Carroll, Missouri
Cody Schrader gave Missouri the perfect running back for their offense, and now they have a couple of options to replace him. Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll both come to the Tigers from the transfer portal, but Carroll appears to be getting the most excitement.
At Georgia State in 2023, he ran for 1,350 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also played a role in the passing attack with 234 yards on just 23 catches. If he can get acclimated to the Tigers system, this offense will be tough to stop again in 2024.
3) Domonique Thomas, Georgia State
Georgia State must figure out the quarterback position, but they found a replacement for Marcus Carroll. The Panthers star running back hit the transfer portal, landing at Missouri, but his former team went out and found a new go-to guy in Domonique Thomas.
The former Clemson running back was stuck behind both Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, so he took his talents somewhere that would give him more touches. Georgia State’s rushing attack finished 26th in the country last year, so expect a healthy dose of Thomas while the quarterback situation gets sorted.
2) Chip Trayanum, Kentucky
If you watched what Ray Davis did for Kentucky this past season, you’ll get an idea of what Chip Trayanum can do. The former Arizona State running back turned Ohio State linebacker turned Ohio State running back joins the Wildcats with plenty to prove in 2024.
Kentucky’s a great fit for Trayanum. He returns to a familiar scheme, and he’ll remind everyone why there was hype surrounding his game after the 2021 season. After giving the Buckeyes depth at the position, he’ll finally get to be the featured player in the rushing attack. Maybe he’ll even jump in at linebacker from time to time.
1) Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
One of the biggest surprises of the offseason. Former Ole Miss stud Quinshon Judkins announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, and he made a great first impression on his new team.
As Michigan was wrapping up its national championship win over Washington, Judkins announced his commitment to Ohio State.
MORE: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
If you haven’t watched Judkins play, what are you waiting for? Whether it’s breaking through tacklers or sending them to the ground with a nasty juke, he’s a menace with the ball in his hands.
Ohio State’s offense needed to reload at the skill positions, and getting Judkins gave them a superstar.
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!