Memphis running back Kylan Watkins flips on transfer portal decision

The Memphis Tigers are getting back one of their own from the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Matt Zenitz. Running back Kylan Watkins withdrew his name from the portal after putting it in to look for a new home in January.

Watkins missed most of the 2021 season with an injury but was the team’s second-leading running back in 2020. He posted 433 yards on 81 carries with one touchdown as a sophomore. During his time in Memphis, Watkins has shown off his hands as well as his feet. He caught 23 passes for an additional 154 yards and another score.

This season, he had just 51 yards on 15 attempts. The 2019 season was the best year for Watkins in the red zone. He had three scores with 325 yards.

Kylan Watkins transferred once before in his career, to Memphis from UT-Martin. He’s a Memphis native who went to Whitehaven High School. He was a three-star prospect, according to the On3 Consensus.

Transfer portal booming following spring practices

The NCAA Transfer Portal, which covers every NCAA sport at the Division I, II and III levels, is a private database with names of student-athletes who wish to transfer. It is not accessible to the public.

The process of entering the portal goes through a school’s compliance office. Once a player provides written notification of an intent to transfer, the office enters the player’s name in the database. The compliance office has 48 hours to comply with the player’s request.

Once a player’s name shows up in the portal, other schools can contact the player. Players can change their minds at any point and withdraw from the portal. However, once a player enters the portal, the current scholarship is no longer valid. In other words, if a player enters the portal but decides to stay, the school does not have to reoffer a scholarship.