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Makhi Hughes, one of top FBS running backs, reportedly entering transfer portal
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Makhi Hughes is entering the transfer portal and leaving Tulane after one of the most productive rushing seasons in the FBS, according to multiple reports. On3’s Pete Nakos was the first to report the news on Friday.
A 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back, Hughes figures to have suitors lining up for his services. He’ll have 2 seasons of eligibility remaining after 3 spent with Tulane.
Hughes signed with Tulane in the 2022 class. Coming out of Birmingham (Ala.) Huffman, Hughes had offers from just 3 power conference programs. He was ranked as the 87th-best running back in his class and sat outside the top 1,000 overall prospects in the industry-generated 247 Composite.
He sat out the 2022 season with an injury and then immediately announced himself as a weapon out of the Green Wave backfield in 2023. Hughes topped 100 yards in 7 of his final 10 games as a redshirt freshman and ended the 2023 campaign with 1,378 yards and 7 scores on the ground.
In 2024, he averaged 5.3 yards per carry while rushing for 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hughes had 128 rushing yards and 37 receiving yards earlier this season against Kansas State. He ran for a career-best 195 yards against North Texas on Oct. 26. Entering Friday, Hughes ranked 10th nationally in rushing.
He’s been one of the most effective backs in college football across his 28 career appearances. Pro Football Focus gave him an 89.2 rushing grade for the 2023 season. In 2024, he graded out at 90.8 as a runner, the seventh-best mark among qualified FBS running backs. He was among the nation’s leaders in yards after contact this season (1,018 yards) and has forced 130 missed tackles over the last 2 seasons.
Tulane went 9-5 this season. After 8 straight wins heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the Green Wave closed with 3 straight losses, including a 33-8 defeat at the hands of Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl. Hughes only had 8 carries in that game. During the win streak, he topped 100 yards 6 times. During the 3-game losing skid, Hughes was held to 110 total yards on 31 carries.
Coach Jon Sumrall was heavily linked to several open coaching jobs this winter, but rebuffed outside interest and reaffirmed his commitment to Tulane. Despite his commitment, he has lost his starting quarterback and his star tailback to the portal.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
