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Transfer Portal's Best Available: Running backs

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Keyvone Lee (24) runs around Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Bryce Gallagher (32) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Northwestern 17-7. Photo | Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Penn State Nittany Lions running back Keyvone Lee (24) runs around Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Bryce Gallagher (32) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Northwestern 17-7. Photo | Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Following the first transfer window, there aren’t many top backs remaining in the portal. However, teams needing to boost their backfields can still find a few hidden gems if they look hard enough.

Today, Rivals.com looks at the best available running backs on the board.

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Keyvone Lee, Penn State  

Keyvone Lee led Penn State in rushing in two of his three seasons with the Nittany Lions, combining for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns on 222 carries over that span. Last season, an undisclosed injury saw him miss the final seven games, limiting him to 94 yards on 25 attempts. Before the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, Penn State head coach James Franklin said Lee would be available for the game. However, he did not make an appearance in the Nittany Lions’ 35-21 victory over Utah.

Lee started Penn State’s first two games last season and caught the game-winning touchdown during the opener against Purdue. He was later passed up by freshmen Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Lee has started a combined nine games over his three seasons in Happy Valley and will have two years of eligibility at his next school.

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Keshawn King, Virginia Tech

Keshawn King is coming off his best season, leading Virginia Tech with 5.99 yards per carry and 443 rushing yards while running for three touchdowns over nine games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound back also reeled in 20 receptions for 137 yards and a score through the air and returned six kickoffs for a combined 100 yards.

King is a rising redshirt senior but will have two more years of eligibility remaining due to the 2020 COVID blanket waiver. Over four years at Virginia Tech, he has combined for 900 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while catching 31 career passes for 343 yards and a pair of scores through the air.

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Lyn-J Dixon, Tennessee

Lyn-J Dixon has already bounced around to three different programs but is once again looking for a new home.

After spending his first four seasons at Clemson, Dixon transfered to West Virginia in November of 2021 before transferring to Tennessee last August. His stint with the Volunteers lasted less than three months as he entered his name in the transfer portal again later that month.

It’s been a while since Dixon has contributed on the field, but he was productive early in his career at Clemson, rushing for 547 yards and five touchdowns in 2018 before adding 635 yards and six scores on the ground in 2019. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound, Butler Georgia native could still be a nice depth piece to a program looking to add to its backfield.

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Michael Drennen II, Kentucky 

Michael Drennen II has yet to live up to his potential after signing with Kentucky as a four-star recruit in the 2020 class. Still, the 5-foot-11, 204-pound playmaker offers plenty of untapped talent to his next school.

Drennen began his college career as a slot receiver, recording three receptions for 26 yards over eight games in 2020. The following season he moved to running back, carrying the ball seven times for 17 yards and a touchdown over six games. The Hilltop, Ohio native did not receive any action last season and has three years of eligibility left thanks to the 2020 COVID blanket waiver.

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Drake Anderson, Arizona

Drake Anderson didn’t play for Arizona last season but did start three games for the Wildcats in 2021 when he led the team with 385 yards on the ground. Before joining Arizona, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back began his career at Northwestern where he ran for a combined 926 yards and six touchdowns on 62 carries over three years. His best season came in 2019 when he led Northwestern with 634 rushing yards to go with three touchdowns on the ground.

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