Kansas is saying goodbye to redshirt freshman running back Harry Stewart, who’s officially entered the transfer portal. While Stewart didn’t get a heavy workload this season, he made the most of the chances he did get.
Over 21 carries, he racked up 98 yards and a touchdown-good for a solid 4.7 yards per carry. For a young back operating in limited action, that’s a respectable clip and a glimpse of the potential he brings to the table.
The reality is, Stewart was buried on a depth chart loaded with talent. Daniel Hishaw and Leshon Williams carried the bulk of the workload, and with both backs staying healthy and productive, there just wasn’t much room for anyone else to break through. Stewart found himself in that third or fourth spot in the rotation, which isn’t a knock on his ability-just a reflection of how deep and steady this Kansas backfield has been.
So, the move makes sense. Stewart isn’t transferring because of injury or lack of ability-he’s healthy, he’s got some game tape, and he’s still got time to grow.
In today’s college football landscape, this is a pretty standard move: a young player looking for a clearer path to playing time. No drama, no bad blood-just a guy hitting the portal to find a better fit.
From Kansas’ perspective, this does thin out the running back room a bit. Depth at that position often feels like a luxury-until it’s not.
One injury can shift everything, and losing a capable back like Stewart means there’s one less option in the mix. That said, Kansas has done a solid job recruiting the position, and there’s no reason to panic.
But it’s a reminder of how quickly things can change in a backfield.
Stewart redshirted in 2024, got some meaningful reps in 2025, and now he’s looking for a new opportunity. He won’t be the last player to enter the portal this offseason, but he’s one of those names to keep an eye on. He’s got the tools, and with the right fit, he could carve out a bigger role than what was available to him in Lawrence.