When it comes to this year’s transfer portal cycle, a lot of buzz and headlines were dominated by the wide receivers. Guys like Cam Coleman and Isiah Horton were huge storylines in the SEC transfer portal.
The receivers deserve the attention; it’s warranted with how good they’ve played and how they’ll impact their new teams. That being said, there are some highly talented running backs who transferred within and entered the SEC.
Here are the five most impactful SEC RB transfers entering this season.
Honorable Mention
Nov 8, 2025. Kentucky Wildcats running back Dante Dowdell (2) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
A huge running back, standing 6’2 and weighing close to 230 pounds. Dante Dowdell, transferring from Kentucky to Georgia, feels like a perfect fit. Georgia wants to dominate their opponents with a physical and hard-nosed run game. A big bruiser type of back like Dowdell fits that perfectly.
In 2025, Dowdell posted 112 carries for 560 yards and 3 touchdowns. Georgia’s offensive line should be improved this year, which means fans will see Dowdell a lot in short-yardage, early-down, and red-zone scenarios.
5. CJ Baxter (Kentucky)
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns running back CJ Baxter (4) gestures after a play against the Washington Huskies. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
After a down season at Texas, Baxter was due for a change of scenery. The production took a dive in 2025, posting just 54 carries for 196 rushing yards and no touchdowns.
It also didn’t help that Quintrevion Wisner took over the backfield, taking the majority of carries and totaling 5 rushing scores himself.
Baxter’s 2023 season showed he can be a workhorse back, posting 659 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
Now he has the chance to prove he can still be that. In a new offensive system led by Will Stein, entering his first head coaching season after being an offensive coordinator for Oregon.
4. Nykahi Davenport (Auburn)
Auburn Tigers running back Nykahi Davenport (24) runs the ball during Auburn Tigers A-Day spring game. on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Davenport is the piece of Auburn’s new core that doesn’t get talked about at all. The attention on the Tigers goes to new head coach Alex Golesh and standout QB Byrum Brown.
Davenport sticks around Golesh and an offense where he produced well at USF. In 2025, the lead RB posted 612 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
Brown at QB is an extension of the run game, and it’s something that he excels at. So Davenport won’t carry as much of a burden as some other backs in the SEC, but he can be the difference between Auburn’s offense being good or great.
3. Sutton Smith (Arkansas)
Oct 25, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers running back Sutton Smith (5) runs with the ball against the South Florida Bulls. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Smith will have some company in the Razorbacks’ backfield, with Braylen Russell working as the workhorse on the ground.
That doesn’t mean Smith can’t be productive, though; the Memphis transfer is the more versatile back, being a threat as a receiver as well.
In 2025, Smith posted 669 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on the season. Not only was he successful rushing, but he also logged 20 catches as a receiver, which should be a focal point of the Arkansas offense.
2. Raleek Brown (Texas)
Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Raleek Brown (3) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Not only is Texas pushing all of its chips in the passing game, but they have also been equally aggressive through the portal to improve its backfield.
Brown won’t be a workhorse like others in the conference. However, his talent with the ball in space and as a receiver should make this Texas offense one of, if not the best, in the country.
Last season at Arizona State, Brown was phenomenal. The touchdowns were low with only 4, but the volume was exceptional with 186 carries and 1,141 rushing yards on the year.
1. Hollywood Smothers (Texas)
Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Hollywood Smothers (3) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The other half of what should be the best running back duo in the SEC. Smothers brings a more physical back with better size, standing 5’11 and weighing around 200 pounds.
If there were to be a workhorse, early down ball carrier, Smothers fits that role better at Texas. In 2025 at NC State, Smothers recorded 160 carries for 939 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.
It’s too early to say which Texas RB will be better, but there’s no denying that this is the most talented in the conference and should put fear into defenses.
