Transfers are becoming more prevalent on a yearly basis in college football, and the changing of schools can include players who were thought to be the nation’s best during their time in high school. Will a change of scenery lead to some former stars living up to their rankings? We take a look at seven former highly-ranked running backs who are set to re-emerge at new programs this fall.
REMEMBER ME?: Transfer QBs
Antonio Williams – Ohio State to North Carolina
As a recruit: Williams' recruitment was full of drama as he first committed to North Carolina as an underclassman, before re-opening his commitment and pledging to Wisconsin late in his junior year. After Bret Bielema left for Arkansas, things between Williams and the Badgers went through their share of ups and downs, but it wasn’t until Ohio State made a strong push that Williams ended up backing away from the Badgers and landing with the Buckeyes shortly thereafter.
In college: Williams played sparingly as a true freshman, running for 28 yards on six carries. He was in line for an uptick in action as a sophomore in 2017 and rushed for 290 yards and three touchdowns while also catching five passes for 25 yards. While his numbers increased, Williams was passed on the depth chart by true freshman J.K. Dobbins and was set to enter 2018 as the third-string back once again behind Dobbins and Mike Weber. Rather than stay in Columbus, Williams elected to transfer back home to North Carolina. After winning an appeal with the NCAA this week, Williams will be eligible to play in 2018 and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
What to expect this fall: The Tar Heels' top two rushers from a year ago, Jordon Brown and Michael Carter both return but Williams is expected to push for the starting job in camp.
Madre London – Michigan State to Tennessee
As a recruit: A power back from Florida powerhouse program St. Thomas Aquinas, London committed to Michigan State over Nebraska and Wisconsin after visiting all three programs in the fall of 2013.
In college: London redshirted in 2015 but quickly made a name for himself in East Lansing, rushing for 500 yards and three touchdowns in 2015. As his career moved along he was slowed by injuries and fell behind other backs on the depth chart, appearing in just seven games in 2016 and playing mostly as a reserve in 12 games in 2017. For his career, London has 924 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. He announced his intention to transfer to Tennessee earlier this year and has one year of eligibility remaining.
What to expect this fall: With last year’s feature back John Kelly off to the NFL, London should have plenty of opportunities for carries while splitting time with former four-star prospect Ty Chandler in Knoxville.
Jordan Cronkrite – Florida to USF
As a recruit: Cronkrite burst onto the recruiting scene early in his career and initially committed to Miami during the spring of his junior year. He remained pledged to the Canes for a few months, before re-opening his recruitment in the fall. He eventually committed to Florida on National Signing Day in 2015, over Notre Dame, Louisville and others.
In college: Cronkrite worked his way onto the field as a true freshman in 2015, rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns while also recording 89 receiving yards. He took a small step back as a sophomore in 2016, running for 145 yards while catching 20 passes for 120 yards and after falling behind on the depth chart elected to transfer following his sophomore season. He landed at USF, where he sat out 2017. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
What to expect this fall: With last year’s top back D’Ernest Johnson off to the NFL, Cronkrite has a chance to be the Bulls' No. 1 option in the backfield this fall.
MORE USF: RunningTheBulls.com
Tre Watson – California to Texas
As a recruit: Watson had a number of offers from Pac-12 programs but elected to end his recruitment during the spring of his junior year and commit to Cal.
In college: A dangerous kick returner, Watson worked his way onto the field as a true freshman with the Bears, serving as one of the team’s primary returners while also seeing spot duty at running back. As his career moved along he was used more out of the backfield, rushing for 494 yards as a sophomore in 2015 and then 709 as a junior in 2016. Watson went down with a season-ending injury just two games into his senior season and was able to take a medical redshirt. After graduating from Cal, he elected to transfer to Texas, where he will use his final year of eligibility this fall.
What to expect this fall: Watson’s versatility as a pass catcher, a runner and a returner should be put to good use by Texas. The team’s leading rushing from the running back position last year, Daniel Young, ran for just 373 yards so Watson will have a chance to be the team’s feature back.
Johnathan Hilliman – Boston College to Rutgers
As a recruit: After gathering a number of offers, Hilliman committed to Rutgers just prior to the start of his senior high school season but by the time his senior year wrapped up, he elected to flip to Boston College.
In college: Hilliman hit the ground running with the Eagles, rushing for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2014. Unfortunately for him, that would be the most productive season of his college career. He appeared in four games in 2015 before being knocked out for the season with an injury and rushed for 542 yards and 638 yards in 2016 and 2017. His role was greatly reduced by the arrival of super productive freshman A.J. Dillon last season and after receiving an additional year of eligibility via medical redshirt, Hilliman elected to transfer to Rutgers for his final year of eligibility.
What to expect this fall: Hilliman is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former grad transfer Gus Edwards, who led the Scarlett Knights in rushing in 2017. He will have every opportunity to win the job during camp.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Illinois to Vanderbilt
As a recruit: Vaughn’s recruitment took much longer than most to take off, which caused him to reevaluate things several times as more offers rolled in. After nearly committing to Ohio State, his decision came down to Louisville and Illinois, and he pledged to the Illini on National Signing Day 2015.
In college: Vaughn burst onto the scene as a true freshman, rushing for 723 yards and six touchdowns in 2015. His performance helped him emerge as one of the team’s rising starts and he was even one of the Illini’s Big Ten media days representatives prior to the 2016 season. But he fell out of favor when the season rolled around, carrying just 60 times for 301 yards as a sophomore. He elected to transfer back home to the Nashville area and Vanderbilt and sat out the 2017 season due to transfer rules. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
What to expect this fall: Vaughn will have a chance to earn the No. 1 job in the Commodores offense as the school looks to replace one of the most productive backs in school history in Ralph Webb.
Rakeem Boyd – Texas A&M to Arkansas
As a recruit: While Boyd collected offers early on from several Power Five programs, it took some time for the in-state schools to get on board. But once an offer from Texas A&M came late in the summer before his senior year, Boyd jumped on it and committed to the Aggies.
In college: Boyd’s arrival in College Station was delayed by academic issues and he didn’t see the field as a freshman in 2016 as a result. After redshirting that season, Boyd left the program in the spring of 2017 and headed to Independence Junior College in Kansas. He spent last fall at the school, rushing for more than 1,000 yards while also being featured on the Netflix show “Last Chance U.” Boyd signed with Arkansas and had three years of eligibility remaining.
What to expect this fall: Arkansas has a talent back returning in Chase Hayden but Boyd should see his share of opportunities as first-year head coach Chad Morris tries to find weapons for his offense.
