Another running back has decided to transfer away from the Kansas State Wildcats
It is now anyone’s guess who will serve as Kansas State’s backup running back behind Deuce Vaughn next season.
The Wildcats’ No. 2 and No. 3 running backs have entered the NCAA transfer portal over the past few days, which leaves a large hole on the roster that K-State coach Chris Klieman will need to address on the recruiting trail.
Jacardia Wright is the latest player to leave the team. The 6-foot and 226-pound sophomore from Decatur, Illinois entered the transfer portal on Tuesday after a quiet season with the Wildcats. His bio has already been removed from the K-State athletics website.
He rushed for 56 yards on 13 attempts this season while recording stats in five games, playing mostly behind Vaughn and No. 2 running back Joe Ervin.
Wright only played in six games before this season, but he became a fan favorite when he rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on six carries against Iowa State in the final regular season game of 2019. For whatever reason, he was unable to build off that early success and only saw six touches the following year.
Ervin, a 5-foot-8 sophomore, is also looking for a new home after announcing his transfer plans on Sunday.
“I would like to thank Kansas State University for allowing me to be a student and play the game that I love,” Ervin wrote on social media. “I would like to thank Coach Klieman and his staff for everything. After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.”
Ervin showed potential after opting out of last season by rushing for 322 yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries.
Perhaps both he and Wright will receive more playing time elsewhere.
Vaughn was the star of K-State’s offense this season, as he rushed for 1,246 yards and 15 touchdowns while also catching 47 passes for 471 yards and three touchdowns.
Wright was the fifth K-State football player to enter the NCAA transfer portal this month.
Tyrone Howell, a 6-foot-3 junior wide receiver, also announced that he will leave the Wildcats on Sunday. He will look for a new school after just one season at K-State. They all followed the departures of defensive back Aamaris Brown and linebacker Wayne Jones. The Wildcats also recently lost receiver Jaelon Travis, who was dismissed from the roster for a violation of team rules.
This story was originally published November 30, 2021 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Another running back has decided to transfer away from the Kansas State Wildcats."