Five Transfer Portal Running Backs That Could Replace Jerome Ford

Cincinnati acquired Ford's services in the transfer portal and has plenty of options to pick from this time around.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
Jan 4, 2022 10:25 AM EST

CINCINNATI — The Bearcats used the transfer portal to get Jerome Ford, and they should look at all of their options on that front to replace the running back.

Ryan Montgomery (and his team-leading 6.8 yards per carry) is the logical next man up but a fully-stocked running back room is never a bad thing. That especially holds true with a record 3,000 total transfer portal entries in the past two months.

Since Dec. 16 alone, 14 running backs have entered the portal exploring their options. Here are five that Cincinnati should target as they did with Ford two years ago.

Jay Ducker - Northern Illinois

The MAC Freshman of the Year helped the Huskies capture the 2021 MAC Championship and is ready to test his skill set against better competition. Ducker ran for 1,184 yards (28th nationally) and three touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry (80th).

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound freshman won't offer much in the passing game (one catch for yards in 2021), but he has great second-level burst, and his slight stature makes him hard to tackle in a pile. He'd make for a nice one-two punch with Montgomery.

Xazavian Valladay - Wyoming

The Cowboys second-leading rusher in school history with 3,274 career yards entered the transfer portal on Dec. 27. He has posted two 1,000 yard seasons with Wyoming. The most recent just wrapping up—Valladay rushed for 1,070 yards (41st) and six TDs in 2021 when he was a second-team all-Mountain West selection.

The 6-foot, 198-pound rusher is also talented with his hands. He's caught 51 passes over four seasons for 584 yards and 11.5 yards per catch. Valladay is a known commodity who would bring a strong 5.1 YPC career average to Cincinnati.

Dylan McDuffie - Buffalo

The redshirt junior exploded onto the scene for Buffalo this season—rushing for 1,049 yards (43rd) and 11 touchdowns (t-46th) in 2021 after totaling 249 career rushing yards the three seasons prior.

At 6-feet, 207 pounds, McDuffie has the experience and build to be the Bearcats bell-cow back from day one. He showed some decent receiving chops this season, catching 14 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown.

Ky Thomas - Minnesota

The Golden Gophers leading rusher in 2021 started the year as a third-stringer but started Game 7 on for Minnesota after P.J. Fleck lost his top-two running backs.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound freshman parlayed the opportunity into 824 rushing yards, including a 126-yard outing against one of the best defenses in the country. Iowa allowed 3.4 YPC this season, and Thomas netted 4.3 YPC against them in the outing.

He posted six touchdowns and averaged five YPC on 166 attempts this season. Thomas saved his best showing for last—amassing 144 yards and a touchdown in Minnesota's 18-6 win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Montrell Johnson - Louisiana

Johnson was the youthful influence on a three-headed rushing monster from the Raging Cajuns. The Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year was part of three backs on the team to post 600-plus yards. He finished with 162 carries for 838 yards and 12 touchdowns (t-39th) on 5.2 yards per attempt (t-96th).

One of those scores came on a 99-yard run which makes Johnson one of 13 players in NCAA history to pull off a run that far. The second-team all-Sun Belt selection doesn't offer as much promise in his limited receiving reps. He had six catches for 53 yards as a freshman.

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Jerome Ford Declares for NFL Draft After Record-Breaking Season

Ivan Pace Jr. Transferring to UC, Joins Brother, Fellow Linebacker Deshawn

Cincinnati Signee JQ Hardaway Competes in Under Armour All-America Game

Jeremiah Davenport Named to AAC Weekly Honor Roll for Second Time in Past Month

Three Man Weave: Tulane Green Wave Wash out Bearcats 68-60 in AAC Opener

Watch: Travis Kelce Celebrates Touchdown in Cincinnati With Salute to UC

Cincinnati Bearcats American Conference Starts of the Recent Past

Final Huddle: Bearcats Fall to Alabama 27-6 Ending a Magical Season

Bearcats Offer Hawaii Wide Receiver Nick Mardner

NFL Scout: Desmond Ridder has 'Picture-Perfect' Mechanics